[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 13, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S4114]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 561--COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NORTH 
                   AMERICAN AEROSPACE DEFENSE COMMAND

  Mr. ALLARD (for himself, Mr. Salazar, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Crapo, Mr. 
Hagel, and Mr. Nelson of Nebraska) submitted the following resolution; 
which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 561

       Whereas, on May 12, 1958, the United States and Canada 
     signed an official agreement creating the bi-national North 
     American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and formally 
     acknowledged their mutual commitment to defending their 
     citizens from air attacks;
       Whereas 2008 marks the 50th anniversary of the creation of 
     the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the 
     outstanding efforts of American and Canadian service men and 
     women defending North America;
       Whereas the North American Aerospace Defense Command is a 
     unique and fully integrated bi-national United States and 
     Canadian command;
       Whereas the North American Aerospace Defense Command is 
     headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, 
     Colorado, and administered by the United States Air Force, 
     with 3 subordinate regional centers located at Elmendorf Air 
     Force Base, Alaska, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, and 
     Canadian Forces Base, Winnipeg, Manitoba;
       Whereas the mission of the North American Aerospace Defense 
     Command is to ``prevent air attacks against North America, 
     safeguard the sovereign airspaces of the United States and 
     Canada by responding to unknown, unwanted, and unauthorized 
     air activity approaching and operating within those 
     airspaces, and provide aerospace and maritime warning for 
     North America'';
       Whereas, through joint support arrangements with other 
     commands, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, 
     including United States Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force 
     Base, Nebraska, detects, validates, and warns of attacks 
     against North America whether by aircraft, missile, or space 
     vehicle;
       Whereas the North American Aerospace Defense Command and 
     United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) joint command 
     center serves as a central collection and coordination site 
     for a worldwide system of sensors designed to provide the 
     commander and the governments of Canada and the United States 
     with an accurate picture of any aerospace threat;
       Whereas the commander of the North American Aerospace 
     Defense Command provides integrated tactical warning and 
     attack assessments to the governments of the United States 
     and Canada;
       Whereas the North American Aerospace Defense Command uses a 
     network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radar, 
     fighters and helicopters, and ground-based air defense 
     systems to detect, intercept, and, if necessary, engage any 
     air-breathing threats to North America;
       Whereas North American Aerospace Defense Command assists in 
     the detection and monitoring of aircraft suspected of illegal 
     drug trafficking;
       Whereas the Alaskan NORAD Region located at Elmendorf Air 
     Force Base is supported by both the Eleventh Air Force and 
     Air National Guard units;
       Whereas the May 2006 North American Aerospace Defense 
     Command Agreement renewal added a maritime warning mission to 
     its slate of responsibilities, which entails a shared 
     awareness and understanding of the ongoing activities 
     conducted in United States and Canadian maritime approaches, 
     maritime areas, and inland waterways;
       Whereas the horrific events of September 11, 2001, 
     demonstrated the North American Aerospace Defense Command's 
     continued relevance to North American security;
       Whereas, since 2001, the Continental NORAD region, which is 
     divided into 2 defense sectors-the Western Defense Sector, 
     with its headquarters located at McChord Air Force Base, 
     Washington, and the Eastern Defense Sector, with its 
     headquarters located at Rome, New York-has been the lead 
     agency for Operation Noble Eagle, an ongoing mission to 
     protect the continental United States from further airborne 
     aggression from inside and outside of America's borders;
       Whereas, in the spring of 2003, North American Aerospace 
     Defense Command fighters based at Tyndall Air Force Base, 
     Florida, intercepted 2 hijacked aircraft that originated in 
     Cuba and escorted them to Key West, Florida;
       Whereas the continued service with valor and honor of 
     American and Canadian men and women serving at the North 
     American Aerospace Defense Command is central to North 
     America's ability to confront and successfully defeat threats 
     of the 21st century; and
       Whereas the continuation of the longstanding and successful 
     relationship between the United States and Canada through the 
     North American Aerospace Defense Command is paramount to the 
     future security of the people of the United States and 
     Canada: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the contributions made by the North American 
     Aerospace Defense Command to the security of North America; 
     and
       (2) commemorates 50 years of excellence and distinctive 
     service to the United States and Canada.

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