[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 117 (Thursday, July 24, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4908-S4909]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 519--DESIGNATING AUGUST 16, 2014, AS ``NATIONAL 
                             AIRBORNE DAY''

  Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself, Mr. Reed of Rhode Island, Mr. Reid of 
Nevada, Mr. McConnell, Mrs. Hagan, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Blumenthal, Mrs. 
Murray, Mr. Manchin, Mr. Casey, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Burr, Mr. 
Begich, Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Moran, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Tester, and Mr. Walsh) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 519

       Whereas the members of the airborne forces of the Armed 
     Forces of the United States have a long and honorable history 
     as bold and fierce warriors who, for the national security of 
     the United States and the defense of freedom and peace, 
     project the ground combat power of the United States by air 
     transport to the far reaches of the battle area and to the 
     far corners of the world;
       Whereas the experiment of the United States with airborne 
     operations began on June 25, 1940, when the Army Parachute 
     Test Platoon was first authorized by the Department of War, 
     and 48 volunteers began training in July 1940;
       Whereas August 16 marks the anniversary of the first 
     official Army parachute jump,

[[Page S4909]]

     which took place on August 16, 1940, to test the innovative 
     concept of inserting United States ground combat forces 
     behind a battle line by means of a parachute;
       Whereas the success of the Army Parachute Test Platoon in 
     the days immediately before the entry of the United States 
     into World War II validated the airborne operational concept 
     and led to the creation of a formidable force of airborne 
     formations that included the 11th, 13th, 17th, 82nd, and 
     101st Airborne Divisions;
       Whereas, included in those divisions, and among other 
     separate formations, were many airborne combat, combat 
     support, and combat service support units that served with 
     distinction and achieved repeated success in armed 
     hostilities during World War II;
       Whereas the achievements of the airborne units during World 
     War II prompted the evolution of those units into a 
     diversified force of parachute and air-assault units that, 
     over the years, have fought in Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, 
     Panama, the Persian Gulf region, and Somalia, and have 
     engaged in peacekeeping operations in Lebanon, the Sinai 
     Peninsula, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bosnia, and Kosovo;
       Whereas, since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, 
     the members of the United States airborne forces, including 
     members of the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne 
     Division, the 101st Airborne Division, the 173rd Airborne 
     Brigade Combat Team, the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) 
     of the 25th Infantry Division, the 75th Ranger Regiment, 
     special operations forces of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, 
     and Air Force, and other units of the Armed Forces, have 
     demonstrated bravery and honor in combat, stability, and 
     training operations in Afghanistan and Iraq;
       Whereas the modern-day airborne forces also include other 
     elite forces composed of airborne trained and qualified 
     special operations warriors, including Army Special Forces, 
     Marine Corps Reconnaissance units, Navy SEALs, and Air Force 
     combat control and pararescue teams;
       Whereas, of the members and former members of the United 
     States airborne forces, thousands have achieved the 
     distinction of making combat jumps, dozens have earned the 
     Medal of Honor, and hundreds have earned the Distinguished 
     Service Cross, the Silver Star, or other decorations and 
     awards for displays of heroism, gallantry, intrepidity, and 
     valor;
       Whereas the members and former members of the United States 
     airborne forces are all members of a proud and honorable 
     tradition that, together with the special skills and 
     achievements of those members, distinguishes the members as 
     intrepid combat parachutists, air assault forces, special 
     operation forces, and, in the past, glider troops;
       Whereas individuals from every State of the United States 
     have served gallantly in the airborne forces, and each State 
     is proud of the contributions of its paratrooper veterans 
     during the many conflicts faced by the United States;
       Whereas the history and achievements of the members and 
     former members of the United States airborne forces warrant 
     special expressions of the gratitude of the people of the 
     United States; and
       Whereas, since the airborne forces, past and present, 
     celebrate August 16 as the anniversary of the first official 
     jump by the Army Parachute Test Platoon, August 16 is an 
     appropriate day to recognize as National Airborne Day: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates August 16, 2014, as ``National Airborne 
     Day''; and
       (2) calls on the people of the United States to observe 
     National Airborne Day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, 
     and activities.

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