[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 78 (Wednesday, May 20, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H5864]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ARMY RESERVISTS FROM THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS WHO ARE SERVING IN 
                                 KUWAIT

  (Mr. SABLAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the remarkable men 
from the Northern Mariana Islands who are presently serving their 
country in Kuwait. These 78 heroic Army Reservists are members of Echo 
Company, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment. The 442nd is well 
known for bravery under tough conditions, and that attitude is embodied 
in its motto: ``Go for broke.''
  Echo Company is operating under tough conditions. This is the second 
deployment for this detachment since the U.S. went to war in the Middle 
East. The company was first sent into combat from August 2004 to 
February 2006 for 19 months. The current deployment began last August 
and will end sometime in September after another 14 months.
  These are tough conditions. These soldiers must leave families 
behind, and their spouses must do their best on their own while praying 
for the safe return of their loved ones. And some do not return home. 
The Northern Marianas has already lost 11 individuals in the combat 
zone just in this war alone.
  I have a special connection to Echo Company. I was one of the first 
volunteers for the 442nd when it was first established in the early 
1980s in the Northern Marianas. More so, I know most of these men on a 
personal basis as family, friend or neighbor.
  I stand before this body today with the utmost respect and gratitude 
to individuals from the Northern Marianas and from everywhere in 
America who bravely serve our Nation and its people.
  To Echo Company, I say Godspeed and Si Yu'us Ma'a'se.

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