[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 14 (Tuesday, February 1, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S423-S424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ROCKEFELLER (for himself, Mr. Webb, Mrs. McCaskill, Mr. 
        Thune, and Mr. Blunt):
  S. 253. A bill to establish a commission to ensure a suitable 
observance of the centennial of World War I, and to designate memorials 
to the service of men and women of the United States in World War I; to 
the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, today--February 1--is the 110th 
birthday of Frank Buckles, the longest surviving veteran of World War 
I.
  It is also the day that I am proud to introduce a bipartisan bill to 
recognize the extraordinary efforts of 4 million men and women who 
served in World War I. I am joined by my colleagues Senators Webb, 
McCaskill, Thune and Blunt. We are united in our effort to prepare for 
the upcoming centennial of World War I. Our goal is to rededicate the 
DC memorial on the Mall as the District of Columbia and National World 
War I Memorial, and rededicate the Liberty Memorial of Kansas City as 
the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Our legislation also 
creates a commission to plan the national observance of the centennial.
  Having the appropriate tributes for our World War I veterans has been 
a cause for Frank Buckles. Over the years, he has become a 
representative of his generation of veterans. His personal story is 
similar to many young men of his era. As an eager 16-year-old, Frank 
Buckles tried to enlist in the Army several times and finally 
succeeded. He then pestered his officers to be sent to France. Mr. 
Buckles drove motorcycles, cars, and ambulances in England and France, 
and during the Occupation, he guarded German prisoners. Following the 
war, he went to work for the White Star steamship line. In December 
1941, while on business in Manila, the Japanese attacked the 
Philippines. Frank Buckles spent over 3 years as a prisoner at the 
city's Los Banos prison camp. On February 23, 1945, a unit from the 
11th Airborne Division freed him and 2,147 other prisoners in a daring 
raid on the Los Banos prison camp. Mr. Buckles was affected by and has 
memories of both World War I and World War II.
  I had the privilege of listening to Frank Buckles' compelling stories 
in his home in West Virginia while sitting with his daughter. He 
generously shares his memories of working to enlist and get to France, 
as well as meeting French soldiers and guarding German prisoners. 
Everyone can hear his reflections by visiting the Library of Congress's 
special Web site for its Veterans History Project. It has personal 
interviews of Mr. Buckles and thousands of other veterans that have 
served our Nation both during times of war and peace. Visiting this Web 
site is an incredible resource for scholars, students and every 
American, and it reminds us of the compelling personal stories of 
bravery, commitment, and

[[Page S424]]

sacrifice made by our country's veterans and how they shaped our world.
  Our bipartisan bill is designed to honor and remember over 4.35 
million Americans, like Frank Buckles, who answered the call of duty 
and served from 1914-1918 in World War I. What became known as the 
Great War claimed the lives of 126,000 Americans, wounded 234,300, and 
left 4,526 as prisoners of war or missing in action.
  At the end of World War I, numerous cities and States erected local 
and state memorials to honor their citizens who answered the call and 
proudly served the United States of America. On Armistice Day in 1931, 
President Hoover dedicated the DC World War I Memorial to honor the 499 
District of Columbia residents who gave their lives in the service of 
our country. Since then, national monuments to commemorate the 
sacrifice and heroism of those who served in World War II, the Korean 
War, and the Vietnam War have all been built on the National Mall. I 
believe that the DC Memorial should be rededicated in time for the 
centennial as well as the Kansas City Museum and Liberty Tower.
                                 ______