[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 119 (Monday, August 3, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S8689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 235--DESIGNATING AUGUST 16, 2009, AS ``NATIONAL 
                             AIRBORNE DAY''

  Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself, Mr. Reed, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. 
Byrd, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Begich, Mr. Levin, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Burr, Mr. 
Crapo, Mrs. Hagan, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Inouye, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Cochran, 
Mr. Conrad, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Burris, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Bingaman, 
Mr. Cardin, Mr. Reid, Mr. Thune, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Casey, Mr. Merkley, 
Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Bond, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Corker) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 235

       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 a battle line by means of 
     a parachute;
       Whereas the United States experiment with 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 Army Parachute Test Platoon in 
     the days immediately before 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, the 325th and 327th Glider Infantry, 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, each of which is part 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 terrorist attacks on the 
     United States on September 11, 2001, airborne units played a 
     pivotal role in the war in Afghanistan, including the 
     unflinching pursuit of the enemies of the United States 
     during the battles of Mazar-i Sharif, Kabul, Qala-i-Jangi, 
     Tora Bora, and Operation Anaconda;
       Whereas United States paratroopers, which include the 82d 
     Airborne Division, 75th Ranger Regiment, Special Operations 
     Forces, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat team, and elements of 
     the 4th Brigade 25th Infantry Division, have demonstrated 
     bravery and honor in an effort to pursue the enemies of the 
     United States, to stabilize Afghanistan, and to strive for 
     calm in a troubled region;
       Whereas in the aftermath of the announcement of Operation 
     Iraqi Freedom by President George W. Bush 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 airborne forces, all have achieved distinction by 
     earning the right to wear the ``Silver Wings of Courage'' of 
     the United States airborne forces, 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 
     airborne forces are all 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 people of the United States; 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, That the Senate--
       (1) designates August 16, 2009, as ``National Airborne 
     Day''; and
       (2) calls on the people of the United States to observe 
     National Airborne Day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, 
     and activities.

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