[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 189 (Friday, December 9, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               70TH ANNIVERSARY OF ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 9, 2011

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 70th anniversary 
of the attack on Pearl Harbor. A beautiful Sunday morning on December 
7, 1941 in O'ahu, Hawaii was darkened by a surprise and brutal attack 
on the United States Naval Station at Pearl Harbor.
  More than 2,400 Americans lost their lives that day while over 1,200 
suffered from injuries protecting not only the base and the country 
they loved. The attack led to the entry of the United States into World 
War II, the most transformative event of the 21st century. In 
addressing the Congress the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, 
President Franklin D. Roosevelt said that ``yesterday, December 7, [is] 
a date which will live in infamy.'' Today we remember those who 
sacrificed their lives that day in the defense of our country and honor 
the patriots who continue to carry the memory of this day through their 
daily lives.
  Mr. Speaker, the attack on Pearl Harbor brings back the same emotions 
we experienced on September 11, 2001. We were stunned, shocked, 
horrified, but united in our resolve to protect our homeland and defeat 
our adversaries. Long Beach, California, which is located in my 
district, played a critical role in this effort. It was one of the 
leading centers of military activity on the West Coast. Along the 
Pacific coast of Long Beach were several Navy shipbuilding and repair 
yards, Coast Guard stations, supply depots, and transport facilities. 
It is no exaggeration to state that Long Beach was a critical component 
of the ``Arsenal of Democracy'' that was the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, the war that began on December 7, 1941 with the attack 
on Pearl Harbor ended on August 15, 1945, with Japan's unconditional 
surrender. In keeping with our national character, the United States 
did not gloat in victory, extract reparations from a vanquished foe, or 
occupy and oppress a conquered people. Rather, the United States helped 
Japan rebuild its economy and transform itself into a great democracy. 
The peace treaty that was signed on September 2, 1945, on the decks of 
the U.S.S. Missouri ushered into being a friendship that grows stronger 
and more important with every passing year. Japan is now one of our 
strongest allies and major trading partners.
  As we reflect on the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, let 
us remember the sacrifices of the men and women who perished that day 
in defense of the land we love.