[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 106 (Tuesday, July 23, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1119-E1120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           DOUGLAS A. MUNRO COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS BUILDING

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 23, 2013

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as Ranking Member of the Committee on 
Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, I 
rise to support H.R. 2611, a bill to designate the new Coast Guard 
headquarters building as the ``Douglas A. Munro Coast Guard 
Headquarters Building.''
  Douglas A. Munro, a signalman first class of the United States Coast 
Guard, died heroically on Guadalcanal Island on September 27, 1942, 
after succeeding in his volunteer assignment to evacuate a military 
unit of Marines under fire from opposition forces.
  Born on October 11, 1919, Munro was raised Washington State and 
attended the Central Washington College of Education for a year before 
enlisting in the United States Coast Guard in 1939. He had an 
outstanding record of service in the Coast Guard and was quickly 
promoted to signalman, first class.

[[Page E1120]]

  In the Battle of Guadalcanal, Munro was in charge of the boats that 
had landed the Marines at the scene. When it became necessary to 
evacuate the Marines, Munro volunteered to lead evacuation. He did so 
under heavy enemy fire, ultimately using himself and his boats as cover 
allowing the last of the Marines to leave. Tragically, Munro was 
fatally wounded in the process.
  Munro posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart 
Medal, and was eligible for the American Defense Service Medal, the 
Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory 
Medal.
  Mr. Speaker, Douglas A. Munro gave his life to protect his fellow 
service members and defend this great Nation; it is most fitting that 
the U.S. Coast Guard's new headquarters is named in his honor.
  With its long, rich history and significant contributions to homeland 
security, I can see why the Coast Guard was selected to be the first 
occupant of the Department of Homeland Security's new permanent home--
on the campus of St. Elizabeths. I wish the Coast Guard the best as it 
begins a new chapter in its new headquarters.
  Finally, I would like to express my appreciation to the men and women 
of the Coast Guard who continue to serve our country today, ensuring 
the service lives up to its motto of Semper Paratus, or ``always 
ready.''
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2611.

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