[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 4, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3094-H3096]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REDESIGNATING THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY AS THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
AND MARINE CORPS
Mr. HEINRICH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 24) to redesignate the Department of the Navy as the
Department of the Navy and Marine Corps.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 24
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. REDESIGNATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY AS THE
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS.
(a) Redesignation of Military Department.--The military
department designated as the Department of the Navy is
redesignated as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps.
(b) Redesignation of Secretary and Other Statutory
Offices.--
(1) Secretary.--The position of the Secretary of the Navy
is redesignated as the Secretary of the Navy and Marine
Corps.
(2) Other statutory offices.--The positions of the Under
Secretary of the Navy, the four Assistant Secretaries of the
Navy, and the General Counsel of the Department of the Navy
are redesignated as the Under Secretary of the Navy and
Marine Corps, the Assistant Secretaries of the Navy and
Marine Corps, and the General Counsel of the Department of
the Navy and Marine Corps, respectively.
SEC. 2. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 10, UNITED STATES
CODE.
(a) Definition of ``Military Department''.--Paragraph (8)
of section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended
to read as follows:
``(8) The term `military department' means the Department
of the Army, the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps, and
the Department of the Air Force.''.
(b) Organization of Department.--The text of section 5011
of such title is amended to read as follows: ``The Department
of the Navy and Marine Corps is separately organized under
the Secretary of the Navy and Marine Corps.''.
(c) Position of Secretary.--Section 5013(a)(1) of such
title is amended by striking ``There is a Secretary of the
Navy'' and inserting ``There is a Secretary of the Navy and
Marine Corps''.
(d) Chapter Headings.--
(1) The heading of chapter 503 of such title is amended to
read as follows:
``CHAPTER 503--DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS''.
(2) The heading of chapter 507 of such title is amended to
read as follows:
``CHAPTER 507--COMPOSITION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY AND MARINE
CORPS''.
(e) Other Amendments.--
(1) Title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking
``Department of the Navy'' and ``Secretary of the Navy'' each
place they appear other than as specified in subsections (a),
(b), (c), and (d) (including in section headings, subsection
captions, tables of chapters, and tables of sections) and
inserting ``Department of the Navy and Marine Corps'' and
``Secretary of the Navy and Marine Corps'', respectively, in
each case with the matter inserted to be in the same typeface
and typestyle as the matter stricken.
(2)(A) Sections 5013(f), 5014(b)(2), 5016(a), 5017(2),
5032(a), and 5042(a) of such title are amended by striking
``Assistant Secretaries of the Navy'' and inserting
``Assistant Secretaries of the Navy and Marine Corps''.
(B) The heading of section 5016 of such title, and the item
relating to such section in the table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 503 of such title, are each amended by
inserting ``and Marine Corps'' after ``of the Navy'', with
the matter inserted in each case to be in the same typeface
and typestyle as the matter amended.
SEC. 3. OTHER PROVISIONS OF LAW AND OTHER REFERENCES.
(a) Title 37, United States Code.--Title 37, United States
Code, is amended by striking ``Department of the Navy'' and
``Secretary of the Navy'' each place they appear and
inserting ``Department of the Navy and Marine Corps'' and
``Secretary of the Navy and Marine Corps'', respectively.
(b) Other References.--Any reference in any law other than
in title 10 or title 37, United States Code, or in any
regulation, document, record, or other paper of the United
States, to the Department of the Navy shall be considered to
be a reference to the Department of the Navy and Marine
Corps. Any such reference to an office specified in section
2(b) shall be considered to be a reference to that officer as
redesignated by that section.
SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take
effect on the first day of the first month beginning more
than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Mexico (Mr. Heinrich) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Mexico.
General Leave
Mr. HEINRICH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on the legislation under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Mexico?
There was no objection.
Mr. HEINRICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 24, to redesignate the
Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps.
I want to thank my colleagues for bringing this important measure
before the House.
This bill has the cosponsorship of an overwhelming majority of this
House. It has been part of the House-passed National Defense
Authorization Acts for the last 8 years. It is time this change was
made, and I want to thank Representative Jones for his tireless efforts
in this regard.
The National Security Act of 1947 defines the Marine Corps, Army,
Navy, and Air Force as the separate services, each with distinct
statutory missions. By designating each service's commanding officer as
an equal member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Goldwater-Nichols Act
of 1986 reinforced the idea that we have four separate services. This
bill supports that notion.
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this bill is to provide the Marine Corps
the
[[Page H3095]]
equal recognition among the services that it deserves, even while it
preserves the historical relationship that the Navy and the Marine
Corps have enjoyed for over 200 years.
{time} 1500
I urge my colleagues to support this important measure.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Heinrich for his kind words about
this legislation. I also want to take time to thank Chairman Ike
Skelton and Ranking Member Buck McKeon, who have been very supportive
of this legislation for the last 8 years. It is because of the
leadership of both, and especially the chairman, that this bill is on
the floor today, for which I am very grateful.
Mr. Speaker, as Mr. Heinrich said, it is kind of interesting that the
Marine Corps, which has such a history, that is so revered by so many
Americans, just like those who serve in the Army, the Navy and the Air
Force, yet it is a fact that the Marine Corps is somewhat like a child
at the family reunion, meaning that they are part of the family, but
they just aren't seen as the family.
I make that mention for this reason. A few years ago, this cap was
given to me by the Secretary of the Navy, and the cap says, ``Navy-
Marine Corps, One Fighting Team,'' and yet this one fighting team
doesn't carry the name of both services.
Again, I want to thank the 426 cosponsors. We turned in 11 names
today so that for this debate they could be part of the effort that Mr.
Heinrich made reference to, so it is 426.
Many people would say, well, why do you and others want so badly to
build that type of support? It is because, as Mr. Heinrich said, the
Senate has always been the downfall of this effort, and I can honestly
say, Mr. Speaker, that in the past 8 years there have been so many
comments by people who support this legislation and groups, that I
would just like to name a few in the time that I have.
First of all, this year alone, H.R. 24 has these associations that
support it: The Fleet Reserve Association; the Marine Corps League; the
National Defense Political Action Committee; National Association of
Uniformed Services; Veterans of Foreign Wars; and Marine Parents.
Mr. Speaker, in addition to this, years ago in this effort that Mr.
Heinrich made reference to, 8 years, I want to read just one statement
from the Honorable Wade Sanders, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy
for Reserve Affairs. This is what he said, and I read verbatim:
``As a combat veteran and former Naval officer, I understand the
importance of the team dynamic, and the importance of recognizing the
contributions of team components. The Navy and Marine Corps team is
just that, a dynamic partnership, and it is important to symbolically
recognize the balance of that partnership.''
Mr. Speaker, in addition to that, I would like to share with the
debate today, it caught me by surprise back in 2005 from your home
State, I was notified that the Chicago Tribune had editorially
supported this bill in 2006. I just want to read a paragraph.
``Step up for the Marines. The Marines have not asked for complete
autonomy. Nothing structurally needs to change in their relationship
with the Navy, which has served both branches well. The Corps only asks
for recognition. Having served their Nation proudly and courageously
since colonial days, the leathernecks have earned a promotion.''
I want to thank this House again. All we are saying is, the Marine
Corps deserves recognition.
Mr. Speaker, if I could make a couple other points, and then I would
reserve my time.
One of the opponents to this legislation is in the Senate. I looked
up the history. He was a member of the class of 1958. In 1958, the
football field at Annapolis was known as the Navy Memorial Football
Stadium. After that distinguished gentleman graduated in 1959, they
changed the name of the football stadium at Annapolis to the Navy-
Marine Corps Memorial Football Stadium.
This year, when we were here on a weekend, I was watching the Notre
Dame-Navy football game, and I noticed a jersey that Annapolis was
wearing. I know you probably can't see this, but I can make my point.
Mr. Speaker, on the front it says ``Navy.'' On the left sleeve is the
Marine Corps anchor and globe. On the right sleeve is the Navy anchor.
They understand teamwork, they understand one fighting team, and the
House understands one fighting team. That is why it is so important
today that we are having this debate.
Again, I thank each and every one that has been part of this.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HEINRICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my friend and
colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff).
Mr. SCHIFF. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 24. The proud
history of the United States Marine Corps began with the founding of
the Continental Marines in 1775 to conduct ship-to-ship fighting,
provide ship security and discipline, and assist in landing forces.
Today, the Marine Corps is an elite, light, rapid deployment fighting
force which includes over 203,000 active duty personnel and almost
40,000 reservists.
For almost 235 years, the men and women of the Marine Corps have
served a vital role in protecting the United States and Americans
around the world. These warriors deserve equality with the other
branches of our armed services.
After World War II, the War Department was designated as the
Department of Defense as a means to update tradition. In 1947, the Army
Air Corps separated from the Army and was established as the United
States Air Force.
The Marines are not seeking separation from the Navy. The long and
proud tradition of our Navy and Marine Corps working side by side would
simply be codified by the passing of H.R. 24 and officially recognize
the Marines Corps as equal partners in protecting our Nation.
In his speech at a recent news conference supporting this name
change, retired Gunnery Sergeant and a familiar face to all of us who
enjoy The History Channel, R. Lee Ermey, said: ``We're not asking for a
promotion. We're not asking for more money. We don't want a uniform
change. The only thing we want is for future Marines who shed blood for
their country to at least get respect and receive honorable mention in
the department they fall under.''
This name change does not increase military spending, increase the
size of the military, create another department, or change the internal
budget process for the Navy or the Marine Corps. Nor does the change
diminish their proud traditions. This change strengthens their
relationship and shows the world that they stand together through a
formal recognition of this partnership.
I urge all Members to support H.R. 24.
Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Schiff for those
excellent remarks about this bill and the need for this proper
recognition. Again, it is no more, no less than just recognizing the
Marine Corps as part of one fighting team, the Navy and Marine Corps.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Schiff for also mentioning Gunnery
Sergeant Lee Ermey, who has become the national spokesman. In fact,
there is a Web site called MarineCause.Com that anybody that would like
to see more about this issue and maybe join in on a petition, they
could do that.
We did a news conference about 5 weeks ago with the Marine Corps
League, and I want to thank Mike Blum and the League for hosting this
news conference. It was in the Cannon Building. Lee Ermey came. He is
quite an interesting American. He is quite a patriot as well.
At the news conference, the speakers that day, I made the opening
remarks, and then Senator Pat Roberts, who has put a companion bill in
on the Senate side, S. 504, and he himself is a retired Marine officer,
he spoke.
Then we had this young man named Eddie Wright. I never will forget
him. Eddie Wright lost both hands in Iraq for this country. He came,
and at the news conference he told the story of how much he loved the
Navy. He said,
[[Page H3096]]
``Here I am a Marine. I would have died without the corpsmen saving my
life.'' He said, ``We are one family. That is why I think this
legislation is so important.'' Again, Eddie Wright has lost both hands.
In addition, there was a father, Dick Lynn, from Richmond, Virginia.
He was telling the story about when he received the condolence letter
when his son died in Iraq for this country. This is the condolence
letter. We have taken the names out of it. It is not the one that Mr.
Lynn received. But it is just so ironic that the Marine family, whose
son died for this country, that they receive a letter that says ``The
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D.C.,'' with a Navy flag, and it
says, ``On behalf of the Department of Navy, please accept our very
sincere condolences.''
A condolence letter certainly is important. But if this should become
the law, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Lynn and every other family would receive a
condolence letter that would say, ``The Secretary of the Navy and
Marine Corps,'' with the Navy flag and the Marine flag. ``On behalf of
the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps, please accept my sincere
condolences on the loss of your loved one.''
Mr. Lynn gave one example about the importance of ``team.'' He said,
My father was a World War II Navy veteran. He is buried in Culpeper,
Virginia. Next to my father is buried my son, who was in the United
States Marine Corps. And on both headstones, the father, ``United
States Navy,'' the son, ``United States Marine Corps.''
As I begin to close, I want to thank Mr. Heinrich for being on the
floor today and Mr. Schiff for being on the floor today. I want to
thank the chairman of the committee, Ike Skelton, for being a supporter
of this for over 8 years. I want to thank Buck McKeon for being a
supporter of this for over 8 years.
It is time that the Senate, I hope, will look at the fairness of this
issue that will be sent to the United States Senate. That is all it is,
is recognition and fairness to the United States Marine Corps, who are
loved and endeared by the American people.
Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 24,
a bill which will redesignate the Department of the Navy as the
Department of the Navy and Marine Corps, and to recognize George
Mulvaney and the Veterans of America's Heartland role in bringing this
legislation to the floor.
The Marine Corps is one of world's most capable and premier fighting
forces. Since 1775 they have fought in every major armed conflict that
our country has been a part of.
Previously Congress has declared that there are four branches of the
military, however today there are only three departments.
The perception that the Marine Corps is under the Navy rather than
being equal is real and evident, and should be corrected.
The Navy and the Marine Corps are a team, and it is important that
the American public be fully aware that these branches operate as
partners and equals.
H.R. 24 will recognize the Corps and their overall importance to our
country and our national security. The long and proud history of the
Marine Corps more than justifies the recognition of equal status with
our other service branches and making all Americans aware of this is
long overdue.
Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HEINRICH. Mr. Speaker, 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
gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Heinrich) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 24.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________