[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 77 (Monday, May 12, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4026-S4027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF NORAD

  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, I wish to commemorate the 50th 
anniversary of the signing of the North American Aerospace Defense 
Command Agreement between the United States and Canada. For Colorado, 
the home to the headquarters of the North American Aerospace Defense 
Command, NORAD, this is a proud and joyous 50th anniversary.
  Since the May 12, 1958, signing of the first NORAD agreement, NORAD 
has been a model for international cooperation in defense planning, 
execution, training, information management, and technological 
innovation. For half a century, the command has helped detect, deter, 
and defend against threats to the North American Continent. Today, we 
honor this legacy of success, but we also look ahead to the next half 
century of this partnership, so that NORAD can continue to provide for 
the security of our continent and our homeland.
  Over the last 3 years, I have visited frequently with the commanders 
of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command in Colorado Springs. I am humbled by 
the work that the men and women of NORAD do day-in and day-out to carry 
out their mission. At all hours, NORAD executes its missions of 
aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning. If any 
aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles pose a threat to the North 
American Continent, NORAD provides accurate, unambiguous, and timely 
warning. The command works closely with its homeland defense, security, 
and law enforcement partners to prevent air attacks, to safeguard the 
sovereign airspaces of the United States and Canada, and to provide a 
capability to respond to unknown, unwanted, and unauthorized air 
activity approaching and operating within North American airspace. At 
sea, NORAD provides binational warning of any maritime threat that may 
be approaching the continent.
  Over the last half century, NORAD has been a mechanism for 
collaboration between the United States and Canada in the interest of 
security. NORAD exercises command and control of military forces of 
both countries, so that we can respond to threats efficiently and 
jointly. NORAD has also allowed a growing level of information and 
intelligence sharing between the Canadian and American militaries, 
intelligence services, and other agencies and organizations. This is 
absolutely vital to our efforts to confront and defeat the threats of 
the 21st century.
  NORAD brings together not only the Active-Duty components of the U.S. 
and Canadian militaries but also the capabilities of our nations' 
Reserve components and national, provincial, state, local, and tribal 
organizations. The product of NORAD's efforts is the broad, binational, 
multiagency cooperation that has been, and will continue to be, 
fundamental to our national defense.
  Mr. President, today's milestone is an opportunity to reflect on the 
rewards of the NORAD partnership. These rewards are measured by the 
security of our citizens but also by the strength of the relationship 
between our two countries. NORAD's 50-year legacy of cooperation has 
helped build respect, trust, and confidence between Canadians and 
Americans. It is a relationship that is longstanding, stable, mutually 
beneficial, and absolutely essential in today's security environment, 
where the threats and challenges we face are always evolving.
  We must always remember, though, that the success of NORAD is a 
product of the men and women who make it work. To the Americans and 
Canadians

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who have stood shoulder to shoulder in the command over the past 50 
years, I say thank you. We are proud of your professionalism, your 
commitment to your mission, and your tireless service to our countries. 
Congratulations on the 50th anniversary of NORAD, and congratulations 
on a job well done.

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