[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 48 (Monday, March 23, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1729-S1730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 107--RECOGNIZING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF WHITE SANDS 
   MISSILE RANGE IN NEW MEXICO AND COMMEMORATING THE UNIQUE PLACE IN 
        HISTORY, AND NATIONAL SECURITY IMPORTANCE, OF THE RANGE

  Mr. HEINRICH (for himself and Mr. Udall) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services:

                              S. Res. 107

       Whereas on September 26, 1945, White Sands Missile Range 
     (at that time, known as ``White Sands Proving Ground'') 
     launched its first rocket, a Tiny Tim Boomer, setting in 
     motion 7 decades of world-renowned development, testing, and 
     launches at White Sands Missile Range;
       Whereas White Sands Missile Range exists as the premier 
     research, development, test, and evaluation facility for the 
     United States and excels in supporting missile development 
     and a diversity of other test programs for the Army, Navy, 
     Air Force, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 
     other government agencies, and private industry;
       Whereas White Sands Missile Range employs more than 13,000 
     civilians and honorable members of the Armed Forces, 
     representing the Army, Navy, and Air Force;
       Whereas White Sands Missile Range is recognized as the 
     ``Birthplace of America's Missile and Space Activity'' and 
     holds a unique place in history as the site of the first 
     atomic bomb testing, a site that later became known as the 
     ``Trinity Site National Historic Landmark'';
       Whereas White Sands Missile Range remains the largest 
     overland military test range in the United States, occupying 
     3,200 square miles of southern New Mexico, and the largest 
     airspace controlled by the Department of Defense, comprising 
     9,600 square miles above ground, where the range conducts 
     unparalleled military testing;
       Whereas White Sands Missile Range is increasingly 
     partnering with Holloman Air Force Base and Fort Bliss to 
     ensure that the unique assets of the region are used to the 
     utmost extent to contribute to national security, including 
     support of testing and training that is realistic, large-
     scale, and joint or combined;
       Whereas White Sands Missile Range is a home site of the 
     Network Integration Evaluation, which is a series of 
     semiannual evaluations led by members of the Armed Forces 
     that are designed to further integrate and rapidly progress 
     the tactical network of the Army;
       Whereas the most recent iteration of the Network 
     Integration Evaluation occurred in October and November of 
     2014 and involved 3,900 members of the Armed Forces, allowing 
     the Army to stay on the cutting edge of technology and 
     providing an invaluable resource to national defense;
       Whereas the Southern New Mexico-El Paso Joint Land Use 
     Study demonstrates the strong relationship that White Sands 
     Missile Range shares with Holloman Air Force Base and Fort 
     Bliss in western Texas and indicates that the range has an 
     annual economic impact of $1,717,289 on the region;
       Whereas White Sands Missile Range has the distinguished 
     honor of hosting the annual Bataan Memorial Death March, 
     which commemorates members of the Armed Forces, and forces 
     from the Philippines, who fought and died defending the 
     Philippines

[[Page S1730]]

     only hours after the start of the Japanese attack on Pearl 
     Harbor, and who, after a valiant defense of the Philippines, 
     were captured by the Japanese and forced to march 65 miles 
     without any food, water, or medical care, while the Japanese 
     systematically abused them, leading to the deaths of many of 
     them; and
       Whereas the mission of White Sands Missile Range remains as 
     pertinent to national security in 2015 as it was in 1945, and 
     the range should be preserved and strengthened presently and 
     for future generations: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commemorates the 70th anniversary of White Sands 
     Missile Range in New Mexico;
       (2) expresses gratitude and appreciation to the commanders, 
     members of the Armed Forces, civilians, and other individuals 
     who have contributed to the mission and community of White 
     Sands Missile Range throughout its 70-year history;
       (3) recognizes the great impact that White Sands Missile 
     Range has made on national security in the United States, 
     particularly its contributions in missile defense and space 
     technology;
       (4) memorializes the sacrifice made by brave members of the 
     Armed Forces, and forces from the Philippines, who defended 
     the Philippines and endured the Bataan Death March; and
       (5) encourages the preservation and strengthening of White 
     Sands Missile Range presently and for future generations.

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