Congressional Record, Volume 156 Issue 70 (Tuesday, May 11, 2010)

[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 11, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3283-H3284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

SUPPORTING DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL DAY

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 1294) expressing support for designation of the
first Saturday in May as National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day to
honor those who are serving and have served in the noble and self-
sacrificing profession of Explosive Ordnance Disposal in the United
States Armed Forces.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:

H. Res. 1294

Whereas the bomb and mine disposal profession was created
in April 1941;
Whereas members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal
organizations perform a dangerous and selfless task often
without recognition, risking their lives on behalf of the
United States;
Whereas the United States will forever be in debt to
personnel in the profession of explosive ordnance disposal
for their bravery and sacrifice in times of peace and war;
Whereas people in the United States should express their
recognition and gratitude for members of the Explosive
Ordnance Disposal profession; and
Whereas the first Saturday in May would be an appropriate
date to observe as National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the
designation of National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day to
honor those who are serving and have served in the noble and
self-sacrificing profession of Explosive Ordnance Disposal in
the United States Armed Forces.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Towns) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. McCotter) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.

General Leave

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and to extend their remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of H. Res. 1294, a resolution supporting the
designation of a National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day in honor of
the selfless service and sacrifice of the men and women of the United
States armed services who risk their lives every day as explosive
ordnance disposal experts. Explosive ordnance removal has always been a
profession fraught with exceptional danger and emotional stress. My
colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa), knows this
firsthand from his time as a bomb disposal technician in the United
States Army.
Now, as the United States Military is engaged in two unconventional
wars, our explosive ordnance disposal teams

[[Page H3284]]

are under pressure as never before. They must respond on a daily basis
to roadside bombs and land mines that threaten our troops. It is their
nerves of steel and high level of technical expertise that keep their
comrades safe during ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. These
brave men and women deserve a day of honor and remembrance for the
difficult tasks we ask them to carry out in the service of their
country. Wherever they may be--patrolling the ring road of Afghanistan
or disarming an IED in the streets of Baghdad--they are in our thoughts
and in our prayers.
This resolution was introduced by our colleague, the gentlewoman from
Florida, Representative Ginny Brown-Waite, on April 22, 2010. It was
referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which
reported the measure by unanimous consent on May 6, 2010. This measure
enjoys the support of 60 Members of the House. I thank the gentlewoman
for introducing this bill, and I thank the ranking member of the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Mr. Issa, of course, and
his staff, for their help in bringing this bill to the floor today.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to my
distinguished colleague from the State of Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-
Waite).
Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in
support of House Resolution 1294, expressing support for designation of
the first Saturday in May as National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day,
to honor those who are serving and those who have served in the noble
and self-sacrificing profession of explosive ordnance disposal in the
United States Armed Forces. Although clearly a work of Hollywood drama
meant for entertainment purposes, the Academy Award-winning film, ``The
Hurt Locker,'' has brought new attention to our Nation's EOD
technicians. While the action shown in this film is intense and very
gripping, there is no question that when it comes to explosive ordnance
disposal, truth is even more compelling than fiction. For this reason,
I, along with my colleague from Oklahoma, Representative Boren,
introduced House Resolution 1294, to recognize the real contributions
that explosive ordnance disposal technicians have made to our Nation's
military since the United States first began its bomb disposal program
over 69 years ago.
On average, there are over 4,000 brave men and women serving as
explosive ordnance disposal technicians within the four services.

{time} 1430

EOD techs are responsible for the location, identification,
neutralization, and disposal of hazardous explosive items and devices.
They are on the front lines in the global war on terrorism, protecting
their fellow troops from conventional explosives, nuclear weapons, and
improvised explosive devices. As my constituent and the executive
director of the EOD Memorial Foundation explains, EOD technicians ``are
people who voluntarily take that long walk into uncertainty'' every
time they go to dispose of a bomb.
This resolution also supports observing the first Saturday in May as
National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day. This date was selected to
coincide with the annual EOD Memorial Ball. This year's ball, which
happens to have been the 42nd annual one, was held in Fort Walton
Beach, Florida, on May 1, and I understand that it was a wonderful
success, selling out all of the tickets that were available. Because
the EOD Memorial Foundation is headquartered in my district in Webster,
Florida, I have had the great honor to meet many of these warriors. I
have learned that the ties that bind the EOD community together extend
far beyond the battlefield. The EOD community is a family, and when
even one part of that family is lost, the rest of them come together to
support and assist those left behind.
In 2009, 16 EOD technicians lost their lives serving our Nation in
battle. Another EOD warrior was killed taking apart an IED just within
the last week. This resolution honors those men and women who
courageously, selflessly, and graciously face the real dangers posed by
traditional and improvised explosives.
With that, I urge my colleagues to join myself and Mr. Boren in
honoring those American warriors and supporting House Resolution 1294.
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to honor the brave men
and women working as explosive ordnance disposal technicians by
supporting this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly associate myself with the
remarks of my distinguished colleagues, Ms. Brown-Waite and Mr. Towns.
I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 1294.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues to join me in
supporting this measure, and of course, on that note, I yield back the
balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the resolution, H. Res. 1294.
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. TOWNS. 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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