[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 182 (Monday, December 7, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H13524-H13526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING ECHO COMPANY OF 100TH BATTALION OF THE 442D INFANTRY

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 199) recognizing the 10th 
Anniversary of the activation of Echo Company of the 100th Battalion of 
the 442d Infantry, and the sacrifice of the soldiers and families in 
support of the United States, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 199

       Whereas Company E, 100th Battalion, 442d Infantry Regiment 
     of the United States Army was redesignated on February 16, 
     1999, on the islands of Saipan, Tinian, Rota, Guam and 
     protects the citizens of the Northern Mariana Islands and 
     Guam;
       Whereas the soldiers of Company E and their families are 
     active community volunteers supporting the local community 
     and participating in community events;
       Whereas Company E has served with great honor and 
     distinction for two tours in Iraq in 2004-2006 and 2008-2009;
       Whereas Army Staff Sergeant Wilgene T. Lieto, Army SPC 
     Derence W. Jack, and Army Sergeant Julian F. Manglona of 
     Company E made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States 
     while they served in Iraq; and
       Whereas Company E commemorates one of the original 
     companies of the 100th Battalion, 442d Infantry Regiment, 
     which served with distinction during World War II, and 
     continues to live by its motto ``Go For Broke'': Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) recognizes the valuable, historic, and continued 
     contribution of Company E, 100th Battalion, 442d Infantry 
     Regiment of the United States Army to the citizens of the 
     Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the United States;
       (2) commends the efforts and contributions of the soldiers 
     and sacrifices of the families of Company E, 100th Battalion, 
     442d Infantry Regiment to the United States;
       (3) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of Congress to 
     support the mission of Company E, 100th Battalion, 442d 
     Infantry Regiment; and
       (4) honors the lives of the soldiers of Company E, 100th 
     Battalion, 442d Infantry Regiment who made the ultimate 
     sacrifice on behalf of the United States.
         Amend the title so as to read: ``Concurrent resolution 
     Recognizing the 10th Anniversary of the redesignation of 
     Company E, 100th Battalion, 442d Infantry Regiment of the 
     United States Army and the sacrifice of the soldiers of 
     Company E and their families in support of the United 
     States.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rooney) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Guam.


                             General Leave

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Guam?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of House Concurrent Resolution 199, 
introduced by my colleague, Congressman Sablan, from the Commonwealth 
of the Northern Mariana Islands.
  House Concurrent Resolution 199 recognizes the valuable contributions 
of

[[Page H13525]]

Company E, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment of the United 
States Army.
  Not many know that the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment 
remains the only combat unit in the Army Reserve. In fact, Echo Company 
of the 100th Battalion was redesignated on February 16, 1999, on the 
islands of Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam.
  As the representative from Guam, I appreciate the opportunity to 
recognize and commend these soldiers for their outstanding and 
important service to our Nation.
  So today I join my colleague in recognizing the 10th anniversary of 
the activation of Echo Company and commend the men and women who serve 
in Echo Company and their families for their dedication and their 
sacrifice.
  During the Second World War, the 100th Battalion, known as ``one-
puka-puka'' was comprised principally of Japanese Americans from 
Hawaii. The battalion subsequently became a part of the 442nd Infantry 
Combat Regiment comprised of Japanese Americans who had parents, 
siblings, and relatives, and many who themselves had been forcibly 
removed from their homes and communities and sent to internment camps 
in the United States.
  These highly decorated individuals distinguished themselves on the 
battlefields of Europe; and today those who volunteer to serve in Echo 
Company continue to serve with distinction on today's battlefields.
  Echo Company has served two tours in Iraq in 2004 through 2006 and, 
again, in 2008 through this year. In fact, on my most recent trip to 
Iraq, I had the opportunity to meet with men and women of Echo Company 
who were performing security operations. I appreciated the opportunity 
to meet with these men and women in uniform and to recognize their 
service in the theater of operations.
  Unfortunately, three members of Echo Company have made the ultimate 
sacrifice in defense of our Nation: Staff Sergeant Wilgene T. Lieto, 
Specialist Derence W. Jack, and Sergeant Julian F. Manglona. Our hearts 
and prayers are with their families and loved ones and those who they 
left behind.
  The motto of the 100th Battalion is ``Go for broke,'' which continues 
unabated. Today, we commend Echo Company on their 10th anniversary, and 
I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the service of these 
fine men and women who have volunteered to defend our Nation, and to 
support House Concurrent Resolution 199.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 
199, which recognizes the service and sacrifices of Echo Company of the 
100th Infantry Battalion. I want to thank Delegate Gregorio Sablan for 
supporting it.
  Ten years ago, Echo Company was redesignated on the island of Saipan, 
Tinian, Rota, and Guam and now serves to protect the citizens of the 
Northern Mariana Islands and Guam. Since that time, it has served two 
tours in Iraq, suffering the loss of two of its men. It continues to 
support the people and communities of the Northern Marianas and stands 
ready to serve America.
  Echo Company carries on the traditions of World War II predecessors 
in the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment and continues to live 
by its motto, ``Go for broke.''
  This resolution honors the soldiers of the unit and the families who 
support them. I urge Members to vote ``yes'' on this bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my 
friend and colleague and the sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman 
from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan).
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, our Nation can never say ``thank you'' too 
frequently to the men and women who put their own lives at risk in 
military service. So I rise today as the sponsor of House Concurrent 
Resolution 199 thanking the men and women of Company E, 100th 
Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment for their service, their dedication, 
and their sacrifice.
  I ask that the House adopt House Concurrent Resolution 199 honoring 
Company E--Echo Company, as we call it in the Northern Mariana 
Islands--in this year, the 10th anniversary of this distinguished band 
of soldiers. This year also marks the completion of Echo Company's 
second tour of duty in Iraq where they have distinguished themselves 
for their fortitude and bravery, always living up to the company motto, 
``Go for broke.''
  I appreciate the support of the distinguished gentlelady from Guam 
and the other 25 members of the House Armed Services Committee who are 
cosponsors of House Concurrent Resolution 199. I also want to thank the 
additional 29 Members of this House from both sides of the aisle, 
including my good friend, the distinguished gentleman from Florida, who 
stepped up to say ``thank you'' to Echo Company.
  Most of all, I want to thank Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member 
McKeon for their leadership and their commitment to our men and women 
in uniform and for working with me to bring this resolution to the 
floor today.
  As the first person to have the honor to represent the people of the 
Northern Mariana Islands here in Congress, one of my duties, I believe, 
is to educate this House about the people I represent. One 
distinguishing trait of the people of the Northern Mariana Islands is 
our devotion to the United States of America. We're unique, I believe, 
in modern times to have chosen as a society to become a permanent part 
of the United States. We could have become an independent nation, but 
instead, we chose to be part of this Nation.
  Perhaps nothing exemplifies our commitment to serve our new Nation 
more than our participation in military service. Thirty percent of our 
graduating class from our public high schools enlisted in military 
service this year. And obviously, of course, with this out-of-
proportion participation in our military, there is an out-of-proportion 
level of risk. Our community, our small community of some 65,000 
people, has suffered the loss of 12 of our people in military service 
since the commencement of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is 
certainly one of the highest per capita rates of death in service of 
any community in our Nation.
  I would like to read their names and honor them today: Army Sergeant 
Yihjya ``Eddie'' L. Chen; Army Sergeant Jesse J. Castro; Marine Lance 
Corporal Adam Q. Emul; Army Specialist Leeroy A. Camacho; Army Private 
First Class John D. Flores; Army Private First Class Victor M. 
Fontanilla; Army Specialist Joe G. Charfauros, Jr.; Navy Seaman 
Anamarie San Nicholas Camacho; Senior Airman Audra P.M. Winkfield; and, 
finally, the three members of Echo Company who gave their lives in 
combat for their country: Army Staff Sergeant Wilgene T. Lieto, Army 
Specialist Derence W. Jack, and Army Staff Sergeant Julian F. Manglona.

                              {time}  1215

  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to say that by honoring 
specific individuals or a specific unit of the military, we in no way 
are forgetting all the men and women from communities all across our 
Nation who serve in the armed services. There are, in fact, many people 
from the Northern Mariana Islands who are not members of Echo Company 
in service throughout the world today. My prayers go out to them today 
and my thanks.
  But Echo Company is the only unit from the Northern Mariana Islands 
composed solely of people from the Northern Mariana Islands and a 
platoon from Guam. So as the Representative of the Northern Mariana 
Islands and especially because this is the 10th anniversary of Echo 
Company in the Northern Mariana Islands, it is my honor and 
responsibility to take the floor and say ``thank you.''
  Mr. Speaker, I also want to recognize and am honored to have 
Representative and Senator-elect Ralph Torres of the Northern Mariana 
Legislature in the gallery today. Mr. Torres is here to join me in 
paying respect to our troops.
  I would like to submit this letter of support from Representative and 
Senator-elect Ralph M. Torres into the Record.


                                                   Saipan, MP,

                                                 December 5, 2009.
     Hon. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Sablan: I am proud and honored to write 
     this letter of support for H. Con. Res. 199, the concurrent 
     congressional resolution recognizing the outstanding efforts 
     of Company E, 100th Battalion, 442 Infantry Regiment for 
     their second deployment to Iraq; and to recognize

[[Page H13526]]

     their 10th Anniversary of being located on the Commonwealth 
     of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).
       As a current Representative and Senator-Elect in the CNMI 
     Legislature, I appreciate your efforts to honor the 
     dedication of our troops, and for recognizing the commitment 
     and challenges the spouses and families face when their loved 
     ones are deployed.
       Company E not only preserves our freedoms, but is a 
     valuable part of our community. They participate in many 
     community events, such as every July 4th as part of Island 
     Liberation Day, provide all funeral details on the CNMI and 
     participate in the Go for Broke baseball and canoeing teams.
       Go for Broke is the motto of Company E, and they live that 
     way in all they do and I am proud to support H. Con. Res. 
     199.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Ralph Torres,
                                 Representative and Senator-Elect.

  Godspeed to Company E, to all our men and women for your sacrifice 
and for all that you have done for our people and for the United States 
of America.
  Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I have no further requests 
for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 199, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. BORDALLO. 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.

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