[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 28, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6456-S6457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL AIRBORNE DAY
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to
the consideration of S. Res. 599, submitted earlier today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 599) designating August 16, 2010, as
``National Airborne Day.''
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed
to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid
upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 599) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 599
Whereas the airborne forces of the Armed Forces have a long
and honorable history as units of bold and fierce warriors
who, for the national security of the United States and the
defense of freedom and peace, project the effective ground
combat power of the United
[[Page S6457]]
States by Air Force air transport to the far reaches of the
battle area and, indeed, to the far corners of the world;
Whereas the United States experiment with airborne infantry
attack began on June 25, 1940, when the Army Parachute Test
Platoon was first authorized by the Department of War and was
launched when 48 volunteers began training in July 1940;
Whereas August 16 marks the anniversary of the first
official Army parachute jump on August 16, 1940, to test the
innovative concept of inserting United States ground combat
forces behind a battle line by means of parachute;
Whereas the success of the Army Parachute Test Platoon in
the days immediately before the entry of the United States
into World War II led to the formation of a formidable force
of airborne units that have served with distinction and have
had repeated success in armed hostilities;
Whereas among those first airborne units are the former
11th, 13th, and 17th Airborne Divisions, the current 82nd and
101st Airborne Divisions, and the later airborne regiments
and battalions (some as components of those divisions and
some as separate units) that achieved distinction as the 75th
Ranger Regiment, the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, the
187th Infantry (Airborne) Regiment, which is the only
airborne unit to have served as a Glider, Parachute, and Air
Assault Regiment, the 501st, 502nd, 503rd, 504th, 505th,
506th, 507th, 508th, 509th, 511th, 513th, 517th, 541st, and
542nd Parachute Infantry Regiments, the 88th, 127th, 193rd,
194th, 325th, 326th, 327th, and 401st Glider Infantry
Regiments, the 509th, 550th, 551st, and 555th Parachute
Infantry Battalions, and the 550th Airborne Infantry
Battalion;
Whereas the achievements of the airborne forces during
World War II prompted the evolution of those forces into a
diversified force of parachute and air assault units that,
over the years, have fought in Korea, Vietnam, Grenada,
Panama, the Persian Gulf region, and Somalia and have engaged
in peacekeeping operations in Lebanon, the Sinai Peninsula,
the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bosnia, and Kosovo;
Whereas since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001,
United States paratroopers, which include members of the
XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, the 101st
Airborne Division (Air Assault), the 173rd Airborne Brigade
Combat Team, the 4th Brigade (Airborne) of the 25th Infantry
Division, the 75th Ranger Regiment, and special forces units,
together with other units of the Armed Forces, have
demonstrated bravery and honor in combat operations, civil
affairs missions, and training operations in Afghanistan and
Iraq;
Whereas the modern day airborne force also includes other
elite forces composed entirely of airborne trained and
qualified special operations warriors, including Army Special
Forces, Marine Corps Reconnaissance units, Navy SEALs, Air
Force combat control teams, pararescue, and weather teams,
all of which are part of the United States Special Operations
Command;
Whereas of the members and former members of the United
States airborne forces, thousands have achieved the
distinction of making combat jumps, dozens have earned the
Medal of Honor, and hundreds have earned the Distinguished
Service Cross, the Silver Star Medal, or other decorations
and awards for displays heroism, gallantry, intrepidity, and
valor;
Whereas the members and former members of the United States
airborne forces are all members of a proud and honorable
tradition that, together with their special skills and
achievements, distinguishes them as intrepid combat
parachutists, air assault forces, special operation forces,
and, in former days, glider troops;
Whereas the history and achievements of the members and
former members of the United States airborne forces warrant
special expressions of the gratitude of the people of the
United States; and
Whereas, since the airborne community celebrates August 16
as the anniversary of the first official jump by the Army
Parachute Test Platoon, August 16 would be an appropriate day
to recognize as National Airborne Day: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates August 16, 2010, as ``National Airborne
Day''; and
(2) calls on the people of the United States to observe
National Airborne Day with appropriate programs, ceremonies,
and activities.
____________________