[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 28, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H1652-H1654]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, AS THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE
NATIONAL GUARD OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1339) to amend title 32, United States Code, the body of
laws of the United States dealing with the National Guard, to recognize
the City of Salem, Massachusetts, as the Birthplace of the National
Guard of the United States, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1339
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. OFFICIAL DESIGNATION OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, AS
THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE NATIONAL GUARD OF THE
UNITED STATES.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) In 1629, Captain John Endicott organized the first
militia in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in Salem.
(2) The colonists had adopted the English militia system,
which required all males between the ages of 16 and 60 to
possess arms and participate in the defense of the community.
(3) In 1636, the Massachusetts General Court ordered the
organization of three militia regiments, designated as the
North, South, and East regiments.
(4) These regiments drilled once a week and provided guard
details each evening to sound the alarm in case of attack.
(5) The East Regiment, the predecessor of the 101st
Engineer Battalion, assembled as a regiment for the first
time in 1637 on the Salem Common, marking the beginning of
the Massachusetts National Guard and the National Guard of
the United States.
(6) Since 1785, Salem's own Second Corps of Cadets (101st
and 102nd Field Artillery) has celebrated the anniversary of
that first muster.
(7) As the policy contained in section 102 of title 32,
United States Code, clearly expresses, the National Guard
continues its historic mission of providing units for the
first line defense of the United States and current missions
throughout the world.
(8) The designation of the City of Salem, Massachusetts, as
the Birthplace of the National Guard of the United States
will contribute positively to tourism and economic
development in the city, create jobs, and instill pride in
both the local and State communities.
(b) Designation of Salem, Massachusetts, as National Guard
Birthplace.--In light of the findings made in subsection (a),
the City of Salem, Massachusetts, is hereby designated as the
Birthplace of the National Guard of the United States.
(c) Responsibilities.--
(1) Military ceremonial support.--The Chief of the National
Guard Bureau, in conjunction with the Secretary of the Army,
the Secretary of the Air Force, the Council of Governors, and
the Adjutant General of the State of Massachusetts, shall
provide military ceremonial support at the dedication of any
monument, plaque, or other form of official recognition
placed in Salem, Massachusetts, celebrating the designation
of Salem, Massachusetts, as the Birthplace of the National
Guard of the United States.
(2) Funding source.--Federal funds may not be used to
design, procure, prepare, install, or maintain any monument,
plaque, or other form of official recognition placed in
Salem, Massachusetts, celebrating the designation of Salem,
Massachusetts, as the Birthplace of the National Guard of the
United States, but the Adjutant General of the State of
Massachusetts may accept and expend contributions of non-
Federal funds for this purpose.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts) and the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms.
Tsongas) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
General Leave
Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
insert extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
[[Page H1653]]
There was no objection.
Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1339, recognizing
the city of Salem, Massachusetts, as the Birthplace of the National
Guard of the United States. I would like to thank my colleague from
Massachusetts, the Honorable John Tierney, for bringing this measure
before the House, and I'm honored to be a cosponsor of this legislation
with him.
It was in 1629 that Captain John Endicott organized the first militia
in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in Salem and that all males between the
ages of 16 and 60 participated in the defense of that community. Each
week, this first regiment diligently practiced drill and provided guard
detail to protect the colony throughout each night. This militia, and
those that followed, would come to play a significant role in the
Revolutionary War and all conflicts that have followed.
Today, the National Guard continues its proud mission of providing
units for the first line in defense of our great Nation at home and
throughout the world. By designating the City of Salem, Massachusetts,
as the Birthplace of the National Guard of the United States, we hope
to see positive tourism and economic developments in the city, a city
already recognized throughout the world as one of immense historical
significance.
But most importantly, Mr. Speaker, this resolution will instill pride
in both the local and State communities in their rich patriotic
heritage and properly recognizes the critically important role that the
National Guard has played in defense of our Nation and its citizens
since the earliest days of our Nation.
As the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States, the
services our National Guard has provided our country are innumerable
and immense. I'm honored to be here today to be part of the history in
the formal recognition of this, the National Guard's birthplace. I
encourage my colleagues to join me in support of this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I'd like to offer my support for H.R. 1339, recognizing
the great city of Salem, Massachusetts, as the Birthplace of the
National Guard of the United States. I'd like to thank my colleague
from Massachusetts (Mr. Tierney) for bringing this important measure,
of which I am an original cosponsor, before the House.
The National Guard has provided over 370 years of dedicated service
to our country. Beginning in 1629, when the first militia was organized
in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in Salem by Captain John Endicott, the
National Guard has played a key role in protecting the Nation and
responding to contingencies around the globe. The National Guard is the
oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States.
The patriots who founded our Nation followed English military
tradition and organized their able-bodied male citizens into militias.
All males between the ages of 16 and 60 were expected to maintain arms
and participate in the defense of the community. The colonial militias
protected their countrymen from foreign invaders and helped to win the
Revolutionary War. Following the war, our Forefathers empowered
Congress to ``provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the
militia.'' However, recognizing the militia's State role, the Founding
Fathers reserved the appointment of officers and training of the
militia to the States. Today's National Guard still remains a dual
State-Federal force.
The service of our Guard is just as vital today as it was in the days
of our Forefathers. The Guard deployed more than 50,000 troops in
support of the gulf States following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Tens of
thousands of Guard members have served in harm's way in Iraq and
Afghanistan. Today, the National Guard continues its historic dual
mission, responding to State and local emergencies while ably and
courageously serving our Nation overseas in times of war alongside
their Active Duty and Reserve counterparts.
So I am proud to stand here today to recognize Salem, Massachusetts,
as a city of great historical significance in the birthplace of our
National Guard. I urge my colleagues to stand with me in support of
this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PLATTS. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield as much time as he
may consume to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Tierney), the
author of the underlying legislation.
Mr. TIERNEY. I thank my colleague from Massachusetts for yielding, as
well as for taking the time to help manage this bill and for being an
original cosponsor; and I thank my colleague from Pennsylvania, as
well, for cosponsoring this bill and for his kind words in discussion
of what it is and how meaningful it is not just to Salem,
Massachusetts, but to the country as well.
I rise in support of this bill to officially recognize Salem,
Massachusetts, as the Birthplace of the National Guard. Salem was the
site where our country's first military regiment mustered. This militia
was the foundation of what would eventually become the National Guard.
Last year, I offered a version of this legislation as an amendment to
the Defense authorization bill, and it was approved by a voice vote.
Unfortunately, my amendment was not included as part of the final
conference report. So for the past several months, we've been working
together to bring this bill to the floor.
Next month is the 375th anniversary of that first muster on Salem
Common, and it's being commemorated; so I'm particularly pleased that
the House is considering this bill at this time. I want to be clear:
consideration of this bill today is made possible because of bipartisan
support; and just like my two colleagues here, there are a number of
people, over 116 cosponsors from both parties, who participated in
bringing this bill. I want to thank the majority leader, as well as the
leadership on both sides, for his courtesy given to the staff as well
as to me. I also want to thank the House Armed Services Committee
chairman, Buck McKeon, as well as the ranking member, Adam Smith, and
their staffs; and I want to note the 116 colleagues, Republicans and
Democrats, all the Democrats on the Armed Service Committee and a
substantial number of Republicans on that committee for their support.
This kind of consideration is just the way this House should behave
and should act, and I'm glad that we were able to do it on this bill.
So today is an important day for the City of Salem and for the
National Guard and for local residents like Larry Conway and many
others who have been advocating for this designation for years.
Designating Salem as the Birthplace of the National Guard will pay
tribute to those who first organized to defend our country almost 375
years ago, and it will also honor those men and women who continue to
serve in the National Guard today.
We are working closely with our Senate counterparts to ensure that
that Chamber acts quickly in time for the 375th anniversary next month.
I won't recount all of the details my colleagues here were so kind to
enumerate, but I do note that the bill itself sets forth all the
important benchmarks and the progress that we've made.
Again, I want to thank my colleagues, and I urge all the colleagues
to support this bipartisan bill.
{time} 1250
Mr. PLATTS. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to add, again, my words of thanks and
commendation to the gentleman from Massachusetts for sponsoring this
resolution. Because, as was reflected, in honoring the birthplace of
the National Guard, we honor all who have served throughout our
Nation's history.
During my statehouse days, as well as now in Congress, I've had the
remarkable privilege to interact with both my Air and Army National
Guard in Pennsylvania, as well as National Guard troops from around the
country in my many visits to Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere. These
are remarkable, remarkable men and women, citizen soldiers through and
through, who,
[[Page H1654]]
when called upon, respond to the call of their Nation and their fellow
citizens, serve us so courageously.
So, again, I'm honored to be a sponsor of this resolution, and I
commend the gentleman for introducing it.
I urge a ``yes'' vote in support of its passage.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1339, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Ms. TSONGAS. 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.
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