[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 160 (Monday, October 24, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H6996-H6997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS NATIONAL MEMORIAL ACT

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 320) to designate a Distinguished Flying Cross 
National Memorial at the March Field Air Museum in Riverside, 
California.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 320

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Distinguished Flying Cross 
     National Memorial Act''.

     SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS NATIONAL 
                   MEMORIAL IN RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) The most reliable statistics regarding the number of 
     members of the Armed Forces who have been awarded the 
     Distinguished Flying Cross indicate that 126,318 members of 
     the Armed Forces received the medal during World War II, 
     approximately 21,000 members received the medal during the 
     Korean conflict, and 21,647 members received the medal during 
     the Vietnam War. Since the end of the Vietnam War, more than 
     203 Armed Forces members have received the medal in times of 
     conflict.
       (2) The National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, 
     Missouri, burned down in 1973, and thus many more recipients 
     of the Distinguished Flying Cross may be undocumented. 
     Currently, the Department of Defense continues to locate and 
     identify members of the Armed Forces who have received the 
     medal and are undocumented.
       (3) The United States currently lacks a national memorial 
     dedicated to the bravery and sacrifice of those members of 
     the Armed Forces who have distinguished themselves by heroic 
     deeds performed in aerial flight.
       (4) An appropriate memorial to current and former members 
     of the Armed Forces is under construction at March Field Air 
     Museum in Riverside, California.
       (5) This memorial will honor all those members of the Armed 
     Forces who have distinguished themselves in aerial flight, 
     whether documentation of such members who earned the 
     Distinguished Flying Cross exists or not.
       (b) Designation.--The memorial to members of the Armed 
     Forces who have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, 
     located at March Field Air Museum in Riverside, California, 
     is hereby designated as the Distinguished Flying Cross 
     National Memorial.
       (c) Effect of Designation.--The national memorial 
     designated by this section is not a unit of the National Park 
     System, and the designation of the national memorial shall 
     not be construed to require or permit Federal funds to be 
     expended for any purpose related to the national memorial.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Alaska (Mr. Young) and the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. 
Napolitano) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Alaska.


                             General Leave

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Alaska?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by thanking Congressman Calvert for 
introducing this bill to designate a memorial in honor of the over 
150,000 current and former members of the Armed Forces who have been 
awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
  The new memorial was dedicated on October 27, 2010, at March Field 
Air Museum in Riverside, California. With the legislation, the memorial 
will be designated as the Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial. 
This designation honors these patriots and does not require or permit 
the expenditure of any Federal dollars.
  I urge adoption of the measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mrs. NAPOLITANO asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
her remarks.)
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, the recipients of the Distinguished 
Flying

[[Page H6997]]

Cross include Captain Charles Lindbergh, Commander Richard Byrd, Amelia 
Earhart, and Captain Mark Kelly. You might know who Captain Mark Kelly 
is because he had his medal pinned on him by his wife--our dear 
colleague, Representative Gabby Giffords. All of the men and women who 
have received this medal are American heroes, and the March Field Air 
Museum is to be commended for its efforts to establish a memorial 
honoring these individuals.
  On our side, we would likely support some Federal funding for this 
project, but in knowing our status on our budgetary problems, our 
friends on the other side have written the bill to prohibit Federal 
support. Nevertheless, we do wholeheartedly support H.R. 320.
  I commend my friend and colleague Ken Calvert, from my home State of 
California, for introducing this piece of legislation to recognize all 
our heroes.
  With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume 
to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).
  Mr. CALVERT. I rise in support of H.R. 320, a bill to designate a 
national Distinguished Flying Cross memorial in Riverside, California.
  I thank my friends Mr. Young and Mrs. Napolitano for managing the 
bill today.
  I am honored to represent the Inland Empire Chapter of the 
Distinguished Flying Cross Society, which is the primary sponsor of 
this memorial. The memorial honors all current and former members of 
the Armed Forces who have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
  In the 111th Congress, I introduced H.R. 2788, which passed the House 
unanimously; and today, I stand again in support of H.R. 320, which 
would designate a memorial at March Field Air Museum as the 
Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial. The legislation is 
supported by the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, the Military 
Officers Association of America, the Air Force Association, the Air 
Force Sergeants Association, the Association of Naval Aviation, the 
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, and the China-Burma-India 
Veterans Association.
  I would like to point out the language in the bill specifically 
states that the designation shall not be construed to require or permit 
Federal funds to be expended for any purpose related to the national 
memorial. Funds have been and will continue to be raised through 
private means for these purposes.
  The Distinguished Flying Cross recipients have received this 
prestigious medal for their heroism and extraordinary achievement while 
participating in aerial flight while serving in any capacity with the 
U.S. Armed Forces. There are many well-known people who have played a 
vital role in the history of military aviation and have received the 
award. As was previously mentioned, this renowned group includes 
Captain Charles L. Lindbergh, former President George H. W. Bush, 
Brigadier General Jimmy Doolittle, General Curtis LeMay, Senator 
McCain, Jimmy Stewart, and Admiral Jim Stockdale--just to name a few.
  The March Air Reserve Base, which hosts the C-17As of the 452nd Air 
Mobility Wing is adjacent to the location of the memorial at the March 
Field Air Museum. Visitors are able to witness active operational air 
units provide support for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, which is 
an appropriate setting that honors the many aviators who have 
distinguished themselves by deeds performed in aerial flight.

                              {time}  1650

  I would like to thank those who worked tirelessly to ensure this 
memorial is built and is properly designated in honor of the 
distinguished aviators that have served this great Nation. In 
particular, I'd like to recognize Jim Champlin; his late wife, Trish; 
Distinguished Flying Cross Society president, Chuck Sweeney; and the 
society's historian, Dr. Barry Lanman, who have been instrumental in 
this effort.
  Again, I hope you'll join me in supporting the designation of the 
National Distinguished Flying Cross Memorial at the March Field Air 
Museum and support H.R. 320.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I just want to urge both sides to 
support H.R. 320, but at the same time I'd also like to thank our 
majority and our minority, not only our Members, but also the staff 
that have done a very wonderful job in helping us put this stuff 
together and putting up with us.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 320, ``Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial Act,'' which 
designates a Distinguish Flying Cross National Memorial at the March 
Field Air Museum in Riverside, California. Recipients of the 
Distinguished Flying Cross are awarded to any officer of enlisted 
member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or 
herself in support of operations by ``heroism or extraordinary 
achievement while participating in an aerial flight.''
  The March Field Air Museum serves as the appropriate location for 
such a prestigious honor. Its home sits on the March Air Force Base. 
March Air Force Base dates back to a time when the United States was 
rushing to build up its military forces in anticipation of entering 
World War I. It continued to be used as a pilot training center and as 
well as an operational base throughout World War II. March Air Force 
Base was a part of outstanding achievements in test flights and other 
contributions to the science of aviation. For over seventy years, March 
has been a key component in the advance of aviation and in the growth 
of the modern Air Force.
  The March Field Air Museum is representative of American ingenuity in 
aviation. The museum hosts a collection of military and vintage 
aircraft that presents an extraordinary look at the history of aviation 
and the use of aviation in modern warfare. The museum tells the story 
of how aircraft were first used in warfare and how they have become a 
vital part of our nation's military power.
  As all of our military, we hold a special place in our hearts for 
those pilots who operated those aircraft. These aviators supported our 
ground troops from the air during times of war. This honor will bestow 
the nation's gratitude upon those who are so deserving of recognition. 
I am happy to share in this opportunity with my colleagues to place in 
our nation's history the recognition of these heroes of the skies. Our 
nation is better for the heroism of these brave men and women.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support for 
H.R. 320, the Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial Act.
  I want to thank my colleague from southern California, Mr. Calvert, 
for sponsoring this bill and championing this cause to recognize some 
of our nation's greatest aviators.
  March Air Field Museum, located in California's Inland Empire, at the 
site of the March Air Reserve Base, is a place for Americans to learn 
and celebrate our nation's great aviation and military histories.
  It is appropriate then, that this museum serve as a sight for the 
United States to officially recognize the heroic service of over 
165,000 Americans who have received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
  The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded to a member of the Armed 
Forces who distinguishes himself or herself with heroism or 
extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight.
  March Air Force Bace, March Air Reserve Base, and now March Air Field 
Museum have all been vital parts of the fabric of our community in 
California's Inland Empire.
  I urge all my colleagues to vote yes on H.R. 320 and help ensure 
California's Inland Empire will forever serve as home to the 
Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 320.
  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. YOUNG of Alaska. 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, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.

                          ____________________