[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 7, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S3907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 80--URGING THE PRESIDENT TO DESIGNATE A 
NATIONAL AIRBORNE DAY IN RECOGNITION OF PERSONS WHO ARE SERVING OR HAVE 
          SERVED IN THE AIRBORNE FORCES OF THE ARMED SERVICES

  Mr. HAGEL (for himself, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Reed, Mr. Reid, Ms. 
Snowe, and Mr. Stevens) submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services:

                            S. Con. Res. 80

       Whereas the airborne forces of the Armed Forces have a long 
     and honorable history as units of adventuresome, hardy, and 
     fierce warriors who, for the national security of the United 
     States and the defense of freedom and peace, project the 
     effective ground combat power of the United States by Air 
     Force air transport to the far reaches of the battle area 
     and, indeed, to the far corners of the world;
       Whereas August 16 marks the anniversary of the first 
     official Army parachute jump on August 16, 1940, an event 
     that validated the innovative concept of inserting United 
     States ground combat forces behind the battle line by means 
     of a parachute;
       Whereas the United States experiment of airborne infantry 
     attack began on June 25, 1940, when the Army Parachute Test 
     Platoon was first authorized by the Department of War, and 
     was launched when 48 volunteers began training in July 1940;
       Whereas the success of the Parachute Test Platoon in the 
     days immediately preceding the entry of the United States 
     into World War II led to the formation of a formidable force 
     of airborne units that have served with distinction and have 
     had repeated success in armed hostilities;
       Whereas among those airborne units are the former 11th, 
     13th, and 17th Airborne Divisions, the venerable 82nd 
     Airborne Division, the versatile 101st Airborne Division (Air 
     Assault), and the airborne regiments and battalions (some as 
     components of those divisions, some as separate units) that 
     achieved distinction as the elite 75th Ranger Regiment, the 
     173rd Airborne Brigade, the 187th Infantry (Airborne) 
     Regiment, the 503rd, 507th, 508th, 517th, 541st, and 542nd 
     Parachute Infantry Regiments, the 88th Glider Infantry 
     Regiment, the 509th, 551st, and 555th Parachute Infantry 
     Battalions, and the 550th Airborne Infantry Battalion;
       Whereas the achievements of the airborne forces during 
     World War II prompted the evolution of those forces into a 
     diversified force of parachute and air assault units that, 
     over the years, have fought in Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, 
     Panama, the Persian Gulf region, and Somalia, and have 
     engaged in peacekeeping operations in Lebanon, the Sinai 
     Peninsula, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bosnia, and Kosovo;
       Whereas the modern-day airborne force that has evolved from 
     those World War II beginnings is an agile, powerful force 
     that, in large part, is composed of the 82nd Airborne 
     Division, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and the 
     75th Ranger Regiment;
       Whereas the modern-day airborne force also includes other 
     elite forces composed entirely of airborne trained and 
     qualified special operations warriors, including Army Special 
     Forces, Marine Corps Reconnaissance units, Navy SEALs, and 
     Air Force combat control teams, all or most of which comprise 
     the forces of the United States Special Operations Command;
       Whereas in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the 
     United States on September 11, 2001, the 75th Ranger 
     Regiment, special forces units, and units of the 82nd 
     Airborne Division and the 101st Airborne Division (Air 
     Assault), together with other units of the Armed Forces, have 
     been prosecuting the war against terrorism by carrying out 
     combat operations in Afghanistan, training operations in the 
     Philippines, and other operations elsewhere;
       Whereas in the aftermath of the President's announcement of 
     Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003, the 75th Ranger 
     Regiment, special forces units, and units of the 82nd 
     Airborne Division, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 
     the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and the 4th Brigade Combat Team 
     (Airborne) of the 25th Infantry Division, together with other 
     units of the Armed Forces, have been prosecuting the war 
     against terrorism, carrying out combat operations, conducting 
     civil affairs missions, and assisting in establishing 
     democracy in Iraq;
       Whereas the airborne forces are and will continue to be at 
     the ready and the forefront until the Global War on Terrorism 
     is concluded;
       Whereas of the members and former members of the United 
     States combat airborne forces, all have achieved distinction 
     by earning the right to wear the airborne's ``Silver Wings of 
     Courage'', thousands have achieved the distinction of making 
     combat jumps, 69 have earned the Medal of Honor, and hundreds 
     have earned the Distinguished-Service Cross, Silver Star, or 
     other decorations and awards for displays of such traits as 
     heroism, gallantry, intrepidity, and valor;
       Whereas the members and former members of the United States 
     combat airborne forces are members of a proud and honorable 
     fraternity of the profession of arms that is made exclusive 
     by those distinctions which, together with their special 
     skills and achievements, distinguish them as intrepid combat 
     parachutists, special operation forces, and (in former days) 
     glider troops;
       Whereas the history and achievements of the members and 
     former members of the airborne forces of the United States 
     Armed Forces warrant special expressions of the gratitude of 
     the American people; and
       Whereas, since the airborne community celebrates August 16 
     as the anniversary of the first official jump by the Army 
     Parachute Test Platoon, August 16 would be an appropriate day 
     to recognize as National Airborne Day: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress urges the President to designate a 
     National Airborne Day.

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