[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 16, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H6816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 1177, THE FIVE FIVE-STAR GENERAL COMMEMORATIVE 
                                COIN ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Edwards of Maryland). The Chair 
recognizes the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Boswell) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BOSWELL. Madam Speaker, before I get my chart and bring it up, if 
they'd bring it up for this situation, I just might respond to the 
previous speaker. He forgot to mention that they handed this mess to 
this new administration just a matter of a few months ago and went 
through 8 years of borrow and spend. So I hope the people take that 
with a grain of salt.
  What I, Madam Speaker, would like to speak to you a few moments about 
today is to highlight an institution of great importance to our 
national security and to myself, the U.S. Army Command and General 
Staff College located at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
  Most Americans are probably unaware of the role that this fine 
institution plays in keeping our Nation safe by training future 
generations of military leaders. The Command General Staff College 
plays a vital role, giving our Nation's Army commanders the advanced 
technical and tactical education they need in order to effectively lead 
soldiers in battle. They have been doing so since its founding in 1881, 
and during the past 128 years, it has provided a first-rate military 
education to thousands of accomplished men and women who have defended 
our freedom. I'd like to commend the U.S. Army Command and General 
Staff College on its commitment to excellence, throughout history, in 
support of our military.
  I'd like now to draw your attention, if I may, to a particularly 
distinguished group of alumni. The five war heroes you see beside me, 
Generals George Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight Eisenhower, Henry 
Arnold, and Omar Bradley, served our country with valor and distinction 
during the Second World War and became household names through their 
renowned accomplishments.
  It is a little-known fact, of which we are all proud, that these 
great men all were graduates of the Command General Staff College where 
they received their unique training and education needed to excel in 
leading our brave servicemembers into battle.
  Since then, the college has continued to improve and adapt its 
training in response to the ever-evolving challenges of war. Though the 
specifics of the instruction may have changed, the honorable mission 
has not. I, too, am a graduate of, and a former instructor, at the U.S. 
Army Command General Staff College. Madam Speaker, I speak from 
personal experience of the pride and the satisfaction that comes from 
knowing that I received the best military leadership education our 
Nation has to offer and stood in the footsteps of these great men.
  General George Marshall was the Army Chief of Staff under President 
Roosevelt and one of the chief architects of victory for our Greatest 
Generation and later served as the third Secretary of Defense.
  General Douglas MacArthur bravely led our forces to victory in the 
Pacific theater.
  General Dwight Eisenhower, our past President, was the Supreme Allied 
Commander in Europe and directed the D-day operation, whose anniversary 
was just celebrated, before going on to lead our Nation through some of 
the most trying times during the Cold War.
  General Henry Arnold commanded the Army Air Corps in Europe and 
remains the only person ever to hold the title of General of the Air 
Force.
  Last, but certainly not least, General Omar Bradley commanded the 
Allied forces on their march to victory in North Africa and became the 
first to hold the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
  At this point, I'd like to make mention of an organization that 
provides invaluable support to the U.S. Army Command General Staff 
College, which is the U.S. Army Command General Staff College 
Foundation. This organization is funded by private donations, and its 
mission is to enrich the academic experience of the college by 
providing resources in areas not covered by appropriations.
  Since its inception, this foundation has established a number of 
awards for academic excellence for students of the college in 
recognition of their achievements in the fields of tactics, logistics, 
and military arts. It has supported professional development at the 
Harvard Business School for college faculty members. The Foundation has 
also sponsored the Colin Powell Academic Lecture Series, which began in 
April of 2008. General Powell is also an alumni of the college. Indeed, 
it is hard to overstate the degree to which the Foundation has enriched 
the experience of both students and staff at the college.
  Its board of directors comprises retired officers, business and 
community leaders, all of whom have a keen interest in improving the 
quality of the education provided by the college. I would like to 
commend the Foundation's board and, in particular, its CEO, Colonel 
Robert Ulin--who is in the gallery I do believe--U.S. Army-Retired, for 
the invaluable work that he does to enhance the college and its future 
military leaders. Colonel Ulin is also a graduate and instructor of the 
college.
  It is with this Foundation and the Command and General Staff College 
in mind today that I would like to mention H.R. 1177, the Five Five-
Star General Commemorative Coin Act. This bill would authorize the U.S. 
Treasury to mint a series of commemorative $5, $1 and half-dollar coins 
bearing the likeness of these distinguished five generals. These coins 
would honor the historic contributions these men have made in defense 
of justice and freedom. Americans young and old could admire and 
collect them, and the stories of these great men might be reinforced in 
the popular imagination, perhaps even inspiring some to follow their 
lead.
  This bill will honor the great soldiers of the past. Please sponsor 
H.R. 1177.

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