[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 161 (Monday, November 2, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H12160-H12162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF BERLIN AIRLIFT'S SUCCESS

  Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 398) recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Berlin 
Airlift's success.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 398

       Whereas pursuant to mutual agreement among allies concluded 
     at the Potsdam Conference following the unconditional 
     surrender of Adolf Hitler's National Socialist (NAZI) regime 
     on May 8, 1945, the German capitol of Berlin was divided into 
     four zones of military occupation controlled by the United 
     States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain, and France;
       Whereas in a bid to maintain leverage over Germany by 
     perpetuating its economic instability, and in opposition to 
     the United States' Marshall Plan and the allies' proposal for 
     a new, more stable German currency, then Soviet Dictator 
     Joseph Stalin ordered a blockade of Berlin on June 22, 1948;
       Whereas Stalin's blockade prohibited all ground access to 
     the city, blocking the people of Berlin;
       Whereas three 20-mile-wide free air corridors had been 
     agreed on November 30, 1945, to provide unfettered access to 
     Berlin along accepted flight routes;
       Whereas the Soviet regime insisted that the Western Allies 
     allow food and medicine to be supplied to these sectors only 
     through Soviet-controlled East Germany, effectively allowing 
     Soviet control over West Berlin;
       Whereas President Harry S. Truman ordered the stationing of 
     U.S. B-29 Superfortresses at British airfields on June 28, 
     1948;
       Whereas Britain's Foreign Minister Ernest Brevin, at the 
     suggestion of Commander Sir Brian Robertson, proposed 
     employing a military airlift as an alternative to an armed 
     convoy through the Soviet sector to provide humanitarian 
     relief to Berlin's traumatized and beleaguered population;
       Whereas General Lucius Clay, then United States military 
     governor of Germany, and Major General Curtis LeMay, 
     Commanding General of the United States Air Force in Europe, 
     requested Douglas C-54 Skymasters, the largest transport 
     plane available to the United States Air Force, to help 
     supply the colossal strategic air mission;
       Whereas the first Skymasters arrived at Rhein-Main Air Base 
     on June 28, 1948, and were immediately loaded to begin 
     Operation Vittles to convey supplies to Berlin;
       Whereas the Soviet regime publically derided the airlift, 
     announcing that it would be impossible to carry out and 
     maintain such an operation, characterizing the mission in the 
     East German press as, ``the futile attempts of the Americans 
     to save face and to maintain their untenable position in 
     Berlin'';
       Whereas Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand joined 
     Great Britain and the United States in what became the 
     largest humanitarian operation ever undertaken by the United 
     States Air Force;
       Whereas Lt. General William Turner, honored in the Air 
     Cargo Hall of Fame for his tactical brilliance as commander 
     of the Berlin Airlift, was called upon to lead the Berlin 
     Airlift and worked tirelessly to ensure that the aircraft he 
     commanded supplied the besieged city of Berlin with essential 
     supplies including coal, heating oil, medicine, and food from 
     July 28, 1948, through the official conclusion of the mission 
     on September 30, 1949;
       Whereas the Berlin Airlift resulted in the total delivery 
     of 1,783,573 tons of supplies by the United States and 
     541,937 tons of supplies totaling 2,300,000 tons delivered on 
     277,569 total flights to Berlin;
       Whereas the United States Air Force's C-47s and C-54s alone 
     logged 92,000,000 miles in the Berlin Airlift;
       Whereas the commitment of the United States to aid the 
     besieged people of Berlin resulted in the tragic loss of 101 
     allied personnel, of which 31 were United States casualties;
       Whereas the following Air Force units, aided by the United 
     States Navy and Army, are known to have contributed to the 
     success of the Berlin Airlift--
       (1) HHS1Air Life Task Force;
       (2) 10 Troop Carrier Squadron;
       (3) 11 Troop Carrier Squadron;
       (4) 12 Troop Carrier Squadron;
       (5) 14 Troop Carrier Squadron;
       (6) 15 Troop Carrier Squadron;
       (7) 29 Troop Carrier Squadron;
       (8) 39 Troop Carrier Squadron;
       (9) 40 Troop Carrier Squadron;
       (10) 41 Troop Carrier Squadron;
       (11) 47 Troop Carrier Squadron;
       (12) 48 Troop Carrier Squadron;
       (13) 53 Troop Carrier Squadron;
       (14) HHS 60 Troop Carrier Wing;
       (15) HQ 60 Troop Carrier Group;
       (16) 60 Troop Carrier Group;
       (17) HQ60 Maintenance Support Group;
       (18) 60 Maintenance Squadron;
       (19) 60 Supply Squadron;
       (20) 60 FIN DIS UT;
       (21) 60 COMM Squadron;
       (22) 60A police Squadron;
       (23) 60 Food Service Squadron;
       (24) 60 Install SQ;
       (25) 60 Motor Vehicle Squadron;
       (26) 60 Base Services Squadron;
       (27) 60 Medical Group;
       (28) HHS A B Group;
       (29) HQ61 Troop Carrier Group;
       (30) HQ313 Troop Carrier Group;
       (31) HHS61 Troop Carrier Wing;
       (32) HQ317 Troop Carrier Group;
       (33) HQ317 Maintenance Supply Group;
       (34) 317 Maintenance Squadron;
       (35) 317 Supply Squadron;
       (36) HHS 317 A B Group;
       (37) 317 Communications Squadron;
       (38) 317A Police Squadron;
       (39) 317 Food Services Squadron;
       (40) 317 Installation Squadron;
       (41) 317 Motor Vehicle Squadron;
       (42) 317 Base Services Squadron;
       (43) 317 FIN DIS UT;
       (44) 317 Medical Group;
       (45) 330 Troop Carrier Squadron;
       (46) 331 Troop Carrier Squadron;
       (47) 332 Troop Carrier Squadron;
       (48) 333 Troop Carrier Squadron;
       (49) HHS 513 A B Group;
       (50) HQ 513 Troop Carrier Group;
       (51) 513 Troop Carrier Group;
       (52) HQ 513 Maintenance Sup Group;
       (53) 513 Maintenance Squadron;
       (54) 513 Supply Squadron;
       (55) 513 Communications Squadron;
       (56) 513A Police Squadron;
       (57) 513 Food Service Squadron;
       (58) 513 Install Squadron;
       (59) 513 Motor Vehicle Squadron;
       (60) 513 Base Services Squadron;
       (61) 513 Finance Distribution Unit;
       (62) 513 Medical Group;
       (63) HHS 7350 A B Group;
       (64) 7351 Maintenance Supply Squadron;
       (65) 7352 AF Police Squadron;
       (66) 7353 Installation Squadron; and
       (67) HHS 7497A Lift Wing;
       Whereas Col. Gail Halvorsen, also known as the ``Candy 
     Bomber'' and recipient of the 1948 Cheney Award, 
     distinguished himself by launching Operation Little Vittles, 
     a magnanimous effort that parachuted over 3 tons of candy to 
     the children of Berlin, including children in the Soviet 
     sector;
       Whereas in the face of the massive allied goodwill 
     offensive, the Soviets capitulated and lifted the blockade on 
     May 12, 1949;
       Whereas the Berlin Airlift consolidated the successful use 
     of air transport in military operations and led to the 
     creation of the Air Mobility Command;
       Whereas German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer noted that the 
     Berlin Airlift ``was a truly visible sign that America 
     recognized her duty to be the leader of free nations and 
     wanted to fulfill it.''; and
       Whereas the determined actions of the Berlin Airlift sent a 
     clear message to the Soviet Union that the United States held 
     an unquestionable commitment and unwavering resolve to 
     prevent tyranny in Europe: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, 
     and commends all of the operation's United States veterans 
     for their valor and determination to represent the noble 
     ideals that thwarted the fall of the Iron Curtain over 
     Berlin's western strongholds;
       (2) honors the veterans of the Berlin Airlift who lost 
     their lives to bring the means of survival and sustenance to 
     civilians under siege in the service to their country;
       (3) commends the spirit of collaboration which 
     characterized this united allied operation involving both 
     military and civilian aircraft and crews; and
       (4) honors the men and women of the United States military 
     whose continued dedication to the ideals of integrity, 
     compassion, and liberty upholds the honorable legacy of the 
     United States Armed Forces, as illustrated by the Berlin 
     Airlift, and renews

[[Page H12161]]

     our faith in the power of freedom and goodness to prevail 
     over tyranny.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Walz) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to ask unanimous consent 
that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend 
their remarks on H.R. 3949, as amended, and H. Res. 398.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Minnesota?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Before I talk about the importance of the resolution before us today, 
I want to thank the Committee on Armed Services for working with the 
Veterans' Affairs Committee to bring this bill to the floor. And I 
include for the Congressional Record the exchange of letters waiving 
jurisdiction between the Committee of Veterans' Affairs and the 
Committee on Armed Services.

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                  Washington, DC, October 6, 2009.
     Hon. Bob Filner,
     Chairman, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Cannon House 
         Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: On May 4, 2009, the House Resolution 
     398, ``Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Berlin 
     Airlift's success,'' was introduced in the House. As you 
     know, this measure was sequentially referred to the Committee 
     on Armed Services.
       Our Committee recognizes the importance of H.R. 398 and the 
     need for the legislation to move expeditiously. Therefore, 
     while we have a valid claim to jurisdiction over this 
     legislation, the Committee on Armed Services will waive 
     further consideration of H.R. 398. I do so with the 
     understanding that by waiving further consideration of the 
     resolution, the Committee does not waive any future 
     jurisdictional claims over similar measures.
       I would appreciate the inclusion of this letter and a copy 
     of your response in the Congressional Record during 
     consideration of the measure on the House floor.
           Very truly yours,
                                                       Ike Skelton
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Veterans' Affairs,

                                 Washington, DC, October 14, 2009.
     Hon. Ike Skelton,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, Rayburn House Office 
         Building, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     House Resolution 398, ``Recognizing the 60th anniversary of 
     the Berlin Airlift's success.'' This measure was referred to 
     the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and sequentially referred 
     to the Committee on Armed Services.
       I agree that the Committee on Armed Services has certain 
     valid jurisdictional claims to this resolution, and I 
     appreciate your decision to waive further consideration of H. 
     Res. 398 in the interest of expediting consideration of this 
     important measure. I agree that by agreeing to waive further 
     consideration, the Committee on Armed Services is not waiving 
     its jurisdictional claims over similar measures in the 
     future.
       During consideration of this measure on the House floor, I 
     will ask that this exchange of letters be included in the 
     Congressional Record.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Bob Filner,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 398 recognizes the 60th anniversary of one of 
our Nation's most commendable humanitarian airlift operations in 
history.
  As a whole, the United States Armed Forces is equipped with advanced 
and powerful equipment which gives them significant capabilities used 
not only for defense but also for humanitarian relief, as was so ably 
demonstrated in Berlin from July 1948 through September 1949.
  During a time of tyrannical regime, the people of Berlin were left 
without the basic necessities, such as food and heat. The first 
Skymasters delivered humanitarian relief to the Berlin people, 
demonstrated our commitment to a free Berlin, and brought hope to all 
of Eastern Europe.
  I am in full support of this resolution which honors the veterans of 
the Berlin Airlift who lost their lives in the service to their country 
to bring the means of survival and sustenance to civilians under siege.
  The Berlin Airlift embodied the spirit of collaboration, valor, and 
the goodwill of all mankind. The operation stands as a testament of the 
perseverance and commitment to excellence of the United States Armed 
Forces. It is only right to honor the brave men and women involved in 
the Berlin Airlift who set an example of our faith in the power of 
freedom and goodness to overcome tyranny.
  House Resolution 398 does this, and it honors the men and women of 
today's Armed Forces who continue to uphold the ideals of integrity, 
compassion, and liberty demonstrated by those involved in the Berlin 
Airlift.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 398, a resolution 
recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift's success.
  The Berlin blockade from June 1948 to May 1949 was one of the first 
major international crises of the Cold War and the first such crisis 
that resulted in casualties. During the multinational occupation of 
post-World War II Germany, the Soviet Union blocked the Western Allies' 
railway and road access to the sectors of Berlin under their control. 
Their aim was to force the Western powers to allow the Soviet zone to 
start supplying Berlin with food and fuel, thereby giving the Soviets 
practical control over the entire city.
  The Truman administration reacted quickly by setting up a continual 
daily airlift that brought much-needed food and supplies into the city 
of West Berlin. This airlift lasted until the end of September 1949, 
even though the Soviet Government yielded and lifted the blockade 
itself on May 12, 1949. The Berlin Airlift resulted in the total 
delivery of 1,783,573 tons of supplies by the United States and 541,937 
tons of supplies totaling 2,300,000 tons delivered on 277,569 total 
flights into Berlin.
  Mr. Speaker, the resolution not only details a history of the Berlin 
Airlift, but also provides a list of all the units involved in the 
heroic effort at that time. The Berlin Airlift sent a clear message to 
the Soviet Union that the United States was unwavering in its resolve 
against tyranny in Europe.
  I would like to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. 
Fortenberry), for introducing this legislation, as well as Chairman 
Filner and Ranking Member Buyer for moving the bill as quickly as they 
could through the subcommittee and to full consideration here on the 
House floor today.
  I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 398.
  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, sixty years ago, the United States, 
joined by Great Britain, Australia, and South Africa embarked on a 
historic operation to sustain and defend the vulnerable, entrapped 
people of Berlin, Germany. The Berlin Airlift was a colossal strategic 
mission that inspired strength and fortitude in those held captive by 
then Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin's blockade of the Western-held 
sectors of Berlin. Today, this Congress honors those responsible for 
this noble feat.
  The Veterans of the Berlin Airlift struck the first major blow in the 
new Cold War, forcing Stalin on May 12, 1949, to lift the blockade that 
impoverished Germany's capitol, thwarting the fall of the Iron Curtain 
over the Western strongholds.
  These airmen embodied the highest virtues of American air defense, 
fusing tactical brilliance and innovation with goodness and heart in 
one of the greatest humanitarian efforts of all time. In providing 
food, coal, and medical supplies to the besieged citizens of West 
Berlin, our veterans of the ``Greatest Generation'' led a seminal 
goodwill offensive that alleviated the suffering inflicted by a 
communist regime that threatened not only the peace and prosperity of 
Berlin, but the peace and prosperity of the world.
  As Col. Gail Halvorsen and his colleagues carpeted the streets of 
Berlin with chocolates and candy during Operation Little Vittles, they 
drew the hearts and minds of Berlin's children to notions of goodness 
and liberty, and away from the pervasive communist propaganda that 
sought to turn them against the West.
  As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, let us 
remember the veterans who exemplified our highest ideals of brilliance 
and innovation in air defense, and whose integrity and dedication to 
liberty have inspired so many vulnerable people throughout the world. 
Their example renews our faith in the power of freedom and goodness to 
prevail over tyranny.

[[Page H12162]]

  As memories of World War II and the Berlin Blockade fade with the 
passing years, I believe it is even more important to commemorate the 
spirit of kindness that led our veterans to bring hope and joy to the 
weary and beleaguered citizens of Berlin. May we honor their legacy and 
follow their example.
  I am grateful for this opportunity to commemorate this noble endeavor 
and to honor the memory of those who are surely with us in spirit, 
those who gave the last full measure of devotion to a cause greater 
than themselves, a cause that changed the course of history for the 
better.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, so I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to unanimously support H. 
Res. 398, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Walz) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 398.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________