[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 25, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3778-H3781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING AND HONORING MEMBERS OF ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 1385) recognizing and honoring the courage and
sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and for
other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1385
Whereas May is commonly known as National Military
Appreciation Month;
Whereas during World War I, more than 4,700,000 Americans
served in the military, more than 116,000 Americans lost
their lives, and more than 204,000 Americans were wounded;
Whereas only one American World War I veteran, Frank
Woodruff Buckles, survives today;
Whereas during World War II, more than 16,000,000 Americans
served in the military, more than 405,000 Americans lost
their lives, and more than 670,000 Americans were wounded,
and today more than 74,000 Americans remain unaccounted for;
Whereas during the Korean War, more than 5,700,000
Americans served in the military, more than 36,000 Americans
lost their lives, and more than 103,000 Americans were
wounded, and today 8,026 Americans remain unaccounted for;
Whereas during the Vietnam War, more than 3,400,000
Americans served in the military, more than 58,000 Americans
lost their lives, and more than 150,000 Americans were
wounded, and today 1,720 Americans remain unaccounted for;
Whereas during the Persian Gulf War, more than 2,200,000
Americans served in the military, 383 Americans lost their
lives, and 467 Americans were wounded;
Whereas since 2001, more than 1,000 Americans have lost
their lives and more than 5,500 Americans have been wounded
in Operation Enduring Freedom;
Whereas since 2003, more than 4,300 Americans have lost
their lives and more than 31,000 Americans have been wounded
in Operation Iraqi Freedom;
Whereas members of the Armed Forces answer the call to
serve the United States,
[[Page H3779]]
leaving their homes, their families, and American soil, in
times of war and peace;
Whereas members of the Armed Forces respond to acts of
aggression against the United States and its allies, protect
and evacuate civilians, bring stability to areas experiencing
political turmoil, and provide comfort and support in the
wake of natural disasters;
Whereas members of the Armed Forces have served the United
States in hundreds of deployments, large and small, since the
earliest days of the United States; and
Whereas all Americans, and many hundreds of millions of
people around the world, owe their freedom to the courage,
service, and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces and
veterans: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes and honors the courage and sacrifice of the
members of the Armed Forces and veterans and thanks such
members and veterans for their service; and
(2) urges all Americans to recognize and honor the courage
and sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and veterans
and thank such members and veterans for their service.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Skelton) and the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.
General Leave
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on
the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, May is Military Appreciation Month; and to honor our men
and women and uniform and our veterans, I, along with my good friend
and ranking member from California (Mr. McKeon), have introduced H.
Res. 1385.
Mr. Speaker, I grew up around veterans of the First World War. My
father served in the Navy onboard the U.S.S. Missouri in that conflict;
and he, like so many young men who returned from that war, became the
civic and political leaders of their day.
Tom Brokaw wrote a best-selling book entitled, ``The Greatest
Generation,'' the saga of those who fought the two-front Second World
War. These veterans changed the complexion of our country in every walk
of life. Their experiences in war, sometimes on the battlefield,
instilled in them tremendous confidence and a sense of duty and, like
the generation of war veterans before them, the World War I veterans,
returned to hometowns across America, large and small, to become
leaders in their communities.
In 1950, President Harry S. Truman ordered U.S. military intervention
on the Korean peninsula. In many respects, our participation in the
Korean conflict has served as a model for the way our military operates
today. Korea was the first multilateral United Nations operation, and
it has become the longest standing peacekeeping operation in modern
times. While we are inclined to remember the leaders who ultimately
brought us victory in the Korean War--Truman, MacArthur, Acheson,
Walker, and Ridgeway--it's really the men and women who served so
bravely to whom we pay tribute.
The need to contain the spread of communism brought U.S.
servicemembers to a small country in Southeast Asia called Vietnam. It
was 1964 when Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin resolution and 1973
before the last U.S. combat troops left Vietnam. Much is owed to the
men and women who served in that conflict, and it must be remembered
that those who fought and died in service to the United States in
Southeast Asia are owed the appreciation of a grateful Nation, even
though so many did not receive the welcome home that they deserved.
The Persian Gulf War was a tremendous display of U.S. military
technology, but what must not be forgotten is that the swift end to
combat operations was the result of a sound strategy and the ability of
U.S. service personnel to carry out that strategy.
And of course today our men and women in uniform are engaged in Iraq
and Afghanistan. I predict those returning from these conflicts will be
another great generation. Rising from the sands of the Middle East,
these veterans, who have toiled and fought there to bring peace and
civilization back to those two beleaguered countries, are truly
America's future.
In addition to large-scale conflicts, U.S. military forces have been
involved in far more small-scale contingency operations. In each
instance, in numbers both large and small, the men and women of the
United States' armed services have answered the Nation's call.
So let us remember the importance of those who wore the uniform and
those who wear it today. They have served this Nation, and now we must
do right by them in Congress, in our communities, and in our everyday
lives. Today, we honor their courage and their sacrifice, and to all of
them we say thank you.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Washington, DC, May 21, 2010.
Hon. Ike Skelton,
Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, Rayburn Building,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Skelton: On May 20, 2010, H. Res. 1385,
recognizing and honoring the courage and sacrifice of members
of the Armed Forces and veterans was introduced in the House
of Representatives. This measure was sequentially referred to
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
The Committee on Veterans' Affairs recognizes the
importance of H. Res. 1385 and the need to move this
resolution expeditiously in order to honor the courage and
sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
Therefore, while we have valid jurisdictional claims to this
resolution, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs will waive
further consideration of H. Res. 1385. The Committee does so
with the understanding that by waiving further consideration
of this resolution it 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 H. Res. 1385 on the House floor.
Sincerely,
Bob Filner,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Armed Services,
Washington, DC, May 24, 2010.
Hon. Bob Filner,
Chairman, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Cannon House
Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding
House Resolution 1385, ``Recognizing and honoring the courage
and sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and
veterans, and for other purposes.'' This measure was referred
to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
I agree that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs has certain
valid jurisdictional claims to this resolution, and I
appreciate your decision to waive further consideration of H.
Res. 1385 in the interest of expediting consideration of this
important measure. I agree that by agreeing to waive further
consideration, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 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.
Very truly yours,
Ike Skelton,
Chairman
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for introducing this resolution
honoring those who have served in the Armed Forces and for honoring me
to be a cosponsor with him in that legislation.
Mr. Speaker, next week is Memorial Day, and I rise today in support
of House Resolution 1385 to recognize and honor the courage and
sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and the veterans of our
wars.
In the clearly defined wars against tyranny, in the controversial
conflicts not appreciated until the guns long fell silent, in the
limited actions unknown by anyone not there, the American Armed Forces
have time and again answered the call of duty.
When our fighting men and women put on their uniforms, they became
immune to politics and marched towards the sound of the guns, going
wherever their orders sent them. We call them specialist, corporal,
airman, and petty officer. They are our own children. These young
Americans represent the best in all of us because, while America will
always fight for those who cannot
[[Page H3780]]
fight for themselves, it is their faces that America sends to the aid
of the broken, wounded, and starving of the world.
In the cold winter of Valley Forge, across the deserts to Tripoli,
fighting against their brothers in the Civil War, across the wheat
fields of France, on the beaches of Normandy, in the freezing Korean
winter, in the jungles of Vietnam, and in the burning sands of Iraq and
Afghanistan, what has set our Armed Forces apart is their commitment to
a moral war, a just war, an American way of war.
Americans make the distinction between our enemies and the innocent
bystanders. And once our enemies lay down their arms, our forces
provide them food, shelter, and medical aid. And when the fighting
stops completely, our forces help to rebuild war-torn nations, turning
bitter enemies into great industrialized allies of today.
Since 1775, and across the world today, our Armed Forces and veterans
symbolize all that is best in us as Americans. The American Armed
Forces are just as eager to help feed and clothe the survivors of a
natural disaster as they are to destroy tyranny and oppression. People
across the globe know that when the Americans come they will fight for
what is right, and those who rule by fear will then be afraid.
In the most difficult conditions, in the most challenging terrain,
against the greatest odds, our Armed Forces have faced impossible odds
without counting the cost to themselves. They have followed their
orders, and the oath sworn to our Constitution makes the moral
foundation of our government possible.
Since before the acknowledgement of our Nation's sovereignty and
before the first session of this great legislative body, our citizens
organized themselves to fight against oppression and to stand up for
freedom and liberty. When the drums beat, when the bugles called, the
sound of marching feet was the pride of our Nation answering the call.
Whether our veterans were drafted or volunteered, made long service
careers or served only for a short time, they committed their lives,
their youth, and their health to the principles of our great Nation. In
no other industry of America today will you find a group of young men
and women for whom truth is the only currency, pain is a temporary
annoyance, ingenuity is the answer to all challenges, and teamwork is
the thread that unites and binds them against all foes.
{time} 1630
They have done all this without counting the cost to themselves and
their families. We, who are a grateful Nation, must remember this. Our
freedom is a tangible thing, a perishable thing, and our own last full
measure of devotion must be dedicated to ensuring that their sacrifice
is never in vain but that a more perfect union will yet rise and
inspire the oppressed peoples of the Earth.
I urge the House to join me in passing this resolution to honor our
Armed Forces.
Mr. Speaker, at this time, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he
may consume to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson).
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support
of House Resolution 1385, to recognize and honor the courage and
sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and of the veterans of our
wars. Next week, we will be celebrating Memorial Day, and it is fitting
that we take time to remember all those who have served this Nation in
uniform so honorably and selflessly.
I look forward to being with the Navy League of Hilton Head Island,
South Carolina, at the Veterans Memorial Park next Monday. Last year, I
was inspired to be with fellow members of the American Legion in
Hampton, South Carolina.
We stand here today enjoying the fruits of freedom because good men
and women from the Revolutionary War to present day have put the
support of America and the ideals for which she stands above personal
desires and preferences.
While estimates vary, it is certain that more than 1 million
Americans have died in defense of this Nation. You may have known some
of them. If you did, you should count yourself among the privileged. I
hope you were as touched by their sacrifices as I have been by those I
have known, people like Marine Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Trane
McCloud--a military fellow in the congressional office I represent. He
was killed in Iraq on December 3, 2006.
To Lieutenant Colonel Trane McCloud and to so many others like him
over the years of our history, we owe so much. It is a debt that we can
never really repay to extraordinary military families and widows, such
as Maggie McCloud.
The only way I know how to even begin to express our thanks is to
continue to support to the fullest extent possible those who now serve,
to step forward and to publicly acknowledge their dedication and
sacrifices for America. We should recognize and be grateful that, due
to the sacrifices of American servicemembers, there is a broader spread
of democracy and freedom today than in the history of the world, with
dozens of new democracies, upon the defeat of Communism in the Cold
War, from Poland to Mongolia and Bulgaria to Cambodia. Iraq and
Afghanistan have been liberated from totalitarian despots in the global
war on terrorism.
That's why what we are doing in this resolution and what we will do
next week on Memorial Day is so important.
As the son of a World War II Flying Tiger who served in China, as a
31-year veteran of the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard, and as
one with four sons currently serving in the military, I especially
appreciate military service.
I want to thank Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton and
Ranking Member Buck McKeon for cosponsoring this resolution, and I urge
my colleagues to support it.
In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget
September 11th.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, Hector Polla graduated from West Point in
June of 1941. After the infantry officers' basic course in Fort
Benning, Georgia, he was assigned to his first military assignment--the
Philippines.
It was on December 8, Philippine time, that the Philippines were
invaded by the Japanese. Hector Polla helped defend the Peninsula of
Bataan, receiving a commendation for heroism, a Silver Star for his
actions, in February of 1942. In April, he, along with the other
American forces, surrendered. He survived the death march on the way to
Cabanatuan prison camp, and he was kept there over the years. In
December 1944, he was put aboard a Japanese ship to be taken to Japan
to do slave labor. American bombers bombed that ship, and he survived.
On January 19, 1945, he was again placed on a Japanese ship to go to
Japan to do slave labor. The American bombers bombed that ship, and
Hector Polla died as a result of the wounds received.
There are others throughout that war who saw that battle--the combat,
the deprivation. Yet, at the end of the day, the American forces did
well in that sector of the Asia-Pacific and also in Europe. So many of
them came home and became leaders in the community--in the businesses,
in the churches, in the civic organizations, in politics. Today, we are
the recipients of what they have done.
I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) for his words and
for his cosponsorship of this resolution.
It is important that we as a Congress express our appreciation for
those who served, not just in the Second World War, but in all of the
wars down through and including today. I hope that we will recognize
them when we see them at the airports or on the streets or in the
coffee shops or in church so we can just say ``thank you'' to them.
That's what this resolution does. It expresses appreciation. After all,
it was the sister of a great Roman orator who once said that gratitude
is the greatest of all virtues.
This is our opportunity as a Congress to say we are grateful for
those men and women who have worn the uniform. We are proud of them and
we thank them.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, listening to the chairman relate that story
made me think of an experience I had last week at home. We had an event
that was held by our community, honoring those who served.
[[Page H3781]]
At that event, I met again the parents of a young man who was killed
a few weeks ago, from our home. It was a Filipino family who had a son
and two daughters. Their son, Ian Gelig, was killed in Afghanistan,
just as I said, a few weeks ago. They came to this gathering from the
cemetery, which is where they go on a daily basis to visit their son.
We had another family there who had lost their son in Iraq a few
years ago, and this family has kind of befriended the parents of other
young people who have lost their lives since then. They go to all of
the funerals, and they have become strong advocates, reaching out to
help the other families.
They feel good about what their sons have done. They hate the fact
that they have lost their sons, but they feel proud of what they have
done and feel like their sons did what they wanted to do.
I had the experience today of meeting a young midshipman. He will be
graduating Friday from the Naval Academy. He is planning on becoming a
SEAL. He has been learning Arabic, and he is looking forward to having
an exciting career in the Navy.
You know, seeing these young people and seeing the light in their
lives and what their plans are makes one think of others, as the
chairman talked about--of the young man who graduated from West Point,
who lost his life. He had that same light in his life, and I'm sure he
felt like what he was doing, the sacrifice he'd made for our country,
was worthwhile.
It is up to us to remember those sacrifices and, as Mr. Wilson said,
to never forget 9/11 and to never forget the service of all of these
young people since the birth of our great Nation.
I would ask that all of our colleagues support this resolution.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res.
1385, to recognize and honor the courage and sacrifice of the members
of the Armed Forces and veterans for their service to the people of the
United States.
First I want to thank Chairman Ike Skelton, and Ranking Member Howard
``Buck'' McKeon, of the Armed Services Committee, for their leadership
and for championing the cause of our military men and women and our
veterans. In this month of May known as National Military Appreciation
Month, it is important to take time from our busy schedule to recognize
and celebrate the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces and
veterans, and again I commend Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member
McKeon for introducing this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, as a Vietnam veteran, I want to thank all members of the
Armed Forces and veterans for their service to this great nation. I
especially want to recognize the service and sacrifice made by the sons
and daughters of American Samoa to protect this great nation. I am most
proud to state for the record that American Samoa's sons and daughters
have served in record number in every U.S. military engagement from
WWII to the present. Indeed, located some 3000 miles from Hawaii, the
American Samoa reserve unit is under the only remaining infantry unit
of the U.S. Army Reserve, the 100th battalion of the 442nd Infantry
Regiment, or the ``Purple Heart Battalion'' based at Fort Shafter,
Hawaii.
As a true testament to the sacrifice made by our brave warriors from
American Samoa, I am always reminded of retired Command Sergeant Major
Falaniko and his late son Private Jonathan I. Falaniko. PVT Falaniko
attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, in May 2003 and was
later deployed to Iraq in August 2003. He was then assigned to the 70th
Engineer Battalion under the 1st Armored Division, Engineers Brigade of
which his father, CSM Ioakimo Falaniko, was the Command Sergeant Major
of the brigade and was the most senior enlisted soldier.
On October 27, 2003 PVT Falaniko was killed by a rocket-propelled
grenade attack. Twenty-year-old Jonathan Falaniko had been in the U.S.
Army for less than 6 months. He was laid to rest with all the other
brave men and women that have served this great nation, at the National
Cemetery in Arlington. Jonathan's story is only one of thousands of the
many Americans who have given the ultimate sacrifice for this great
nation.
Mr. Speaker, it is customary in the Samoan culture to recognize great
deeds and exceptional feats in speeches, songs and storytelling so that
they are memorialized and imbedded in the hearts and minds of
generations to come. Therefore, I rise today with great honor in
support of H. Res. 1385 to recognize the service and courage of all our
servicemen and women and veterans. Let us honor their patriotism, love
of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice so much to bring
about peace and freedom in a troubled world. To our veterans and
current service members, and especially to American Samoa's Reserve
unit scattered throughout the Middle East, I would like to close by
saying how honored and proud I am of your service to this great nation
and I commend you for your courage.
May God bless you and may God continue to bless the United States of
America. I strongly urge my fellow colleagues to pass this resolution.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to
recognize and honor the courage and sacrifice of members of the Armed
Forces and our Veterans.
May is National Military Appreciation Month, a tine when we honor the
bravery and service of our Armed Forces, veterans, and their families.
Members of our Armed Forces leave behind their homes, families, and
jobs in times when duty calls. They protect America and American
Allies, provide support in times of disasters, and help bringing
stability to areas of unrest.
From my time as a psychiatric nurse in the Dallas Veterans Affair's
Hospital, I know firsthand the burden placed upon those who serve in
our Armed Forces. People around the world owe their freedoms and
liberties to the courage, service, and sacrifice of members of the
Armed Forces. I urge all Americans to recognize and honor the courage
and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform and thank them for their
service.
Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SKELTON. 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 Missouri (Mr. Skelton) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1385.
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. SKELTON. 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.
____________________