[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 187 (Wednesday, November 15, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7243-S7245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Protecting Veteran Memorials

  Mr. President, I also want to speak about an issue that is very 
important to our veterans in Wyoming and across the country. The 2018 
National Defense Authorization Act conference report includes a 
provision that allows America's veteran memorials to be used as a 
political bargaining chip. I think it is a very bad idea.
  There is a specific provision in this report that allows the 
Secretary of Defense to dismantle a veteran memorial and move it to a 
foreign nation.
  We have one of these memorials at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base in 
Cheyenne, WY. This memorial honors American soldiers who were massacred 
more than 100 years ago in a town called Balangiga in the Philippines. 
On September 28, 1901, a group of 400 Filipino insurgents, armed with 
machetes, attacked American soldiers in Company C of the 9th Infantry. 
It was a sneak attack while the Americans were mostly unarmed and 
having breakfast.
  The insurgents signaled the attack by ringing the bells of the local 
church. Company C had 75 soldiers, and 48 of them were killed in this 
attack or died of their wounds or went missing in action. It was the 
worst defeat for the American Army since the Battle of the Little 
Bighorn in 1876. These bells were used in an act of war against 
American soldiers.
  The Army legally brought the bells back to America to honor the 
troops of Company C who were lost in this massacre. The 11th Infantry 
Regiment brought them to Cheyenne, WY, and today the bells of Balangiga 
are part of the memorial at F.E. Warren Air Force Base.
  Over the years, the Department of Defense and the State Department 
have tried a few times to move these

[[Page S7244]]

bells to the Philippines. In 2012, President Obama's Department of 
Defense even tried to cover up the fact that it was secretly making 
plans to move the bells. I have opposed these efforts every step of the 
way.
  The majority of veterans in Wyoming oppose dismantling this veteran 
memorial. The Wyoming Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion 
have both passed resolutions against moving the bells. The American 
Legion has also taken a stand on the national level. It has opposed the 
removal and encouraged Congress to pass legislation to protect veteran 
memorials.
  During the confirmation hearing for Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, 
I asked him specifically about the bells of Balangiga. He made a 
commitment to me that he would include Congress and our veteran 
organizations in any conversations regarding war memorials.
  I recently received a letter from the State Department, and they said 
that they are unaware of any plans to move the bells to a foreign 
country. We need to make sure that no plans ever develop.
  This conference report will take away any lines of communication 
between the administration and the Congress on this issue. America 
needs to make clear that we will never stop honoring our war dead, no 
matter where or when they sacrificed. To dismantle this memorial would 
be an insult to the memory of the men who were massacred that day in 
the Philippines.
  Wyoming has a strong tradition of honoring our veterans, especially 
those who gave their lives. The United States should not be using our 
veteran memorials as bargaining chips to negotiate with foreign 
nations. For these reasons, I oppose section 2864 of the conference 
report on the National Defense Authorization Act.
  I will continue my work to protect our veteran memorials. I will 
continue to use my voice for the soldiers of Company C who have no 
voice of their own.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following be printed 
in the Record: the names of the 48 soldiers who were massacred in 1901; 
a letter from the Wyoming Veterans of Foreign Wars; a resolution from 
the Wyoming American Legion in opposition to moving the bells; National 
American Legion Resolution No. 56; a letter from the National American 
Legion in support of Barrasso amendment No. 738; a letter from the 
State Department saying that they are currently not planning to move 
the bells; and Secretary Tillerson's commitment to include Congress and 
our veterans in any discussion of our veteran memorials
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

   U.S. Army Casualties at Balangiga, Samar, Philippine Islands, 28 
                             September 1901

       Filipino insurgents overran Company C, 9th Infantry, at 
     Balangiga, Samar, on 28 September 1901. On that morning 
     seventy-five soldiers were present with the unit (seventy-
     three members of Company C plus two men attached to the 
     unit). Of these, forty-eight were killed, died of wounds, or 
     were listed as missing and presumed dead (some bodies were 
     burned beyond recognition).
       Key: KIA = killed in action; DoW = died of wounds; MIA = 
     missing and presumed dead.
       Officers: Major R.S. Griswold, Surgeon, KIA; Captain Thomas 
     W. Connell, commander, Company C, KIA; First Lieutenant 
     Edward A. Bumpus, KIA.
       Non-Commissioned Officers: Quartermaster Sergeant James M. 
     Randles, KIA; Sergeant John F. Martin, KIA; Sergeant Henry J. 
     Scharer, KIA; Corporal Frank McCormick, KIA; Corporal Leonard 
     P. Schley, KIA; Corporal Proal Peters, KIA; Corporal Thomas 
     E. Baird, DoW.
       Privates: Gustav F. Schnitzler (cook), KIA; John L. 
     Covington (musician), MIA; Joseph R. Marr (artificer), KIA; 
     Harry Wright (hospital corpsman), MIA; Cornelius F. Donahue, 
     DoW; Jerry J. Driscoll, MIA; Eli Fitzgerald, KIA; John D. 
     Armini, KIA; Litto Armini, KIA; John W. Aydelette, KIA; 
     George Bony, KIA; Robert L. Booth, KIA; John D. Buhrer, KIA; 
     James L. Cain, KIA; Charles E. Davis, KIA; Byron Dent, KIA; 
     Guy C. Dennis, KIA; Patrick J. Dobbins, MIA; Joseph I. 
     Gordon, KIA; Joseph O. Kleinhampl, KIA; Richard Long, KIA; 
     James Martin, KIA; James F. McDermott, KIA; John H. Miller, 
     KIA; Daniel S. Mullins, DoW; August F. Porczeng, MIA; Charles 
     Powers, KIA; Chris F. Recard, DoW; Floyd J Shoemaker, DoW; 
     Evans South, MIA; Robert Sproull, KIA; Charles E. Sterling, 
     KIA; Joseph Turner, KIA; Frank Vobayada, KIA; John Wannebo, 
     KIA; Christian S. Williams, MIA; Claud C. Wingo, MIA; Harry 
     M. Wood, KIA.


                                Sources

       Annual Reports of the War Department for the Fiscal Year 
     Ended June 30, 1902, Vol. IX (Washington, D.C.: Government 
     Printing Office, 1902), pp. 628-32.
       Fred R. Brown, History of the Ninth U.S. Infantry (Chicago, 
     Ill.: R.R. Donnelley & Sons, 1909), pp. 621-22.
                                  ____

         Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Department 
           of Wyoming Headquarters,
                                        Casper, WY, June 12, 2012.
     Hon. John Barrasso, MD,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Barrasso: At the Department of Wyoming VFW, 
     79th Annual State Convention, June 9, 2012, the membership 
     voted on and passed a resolution concerning the Balangiga 
     Bells currently located on F.E. Warren Air Base, Cheyenne, 
     Wyoming.
       ``Be it Resolved that the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 
     Department of Wyoming strongly support keeping the Balangiga 
     Bells here in Wyoming at the F.E. Warren Air Base, Cheyenne, 
     Wyoming. Also, the membership is against any compromise that 
     would in any way change the status or location of these or 
     any ``War Trophy'' currently held by the United States of 
     America''.
       This Resolution will remain in effect unless changed by the 
     full membership at a State Convention.
           For the Commander,

                                               Bob DeBernardo,

                                        Adjutant Dept. of Wyoming,
     Member National Legislative Committee.
                                  ____


   The American Legion Department of Wyoming Headquarters, Cheyenne, 
                                Wyoming


                               resolution

Subject: Protection, Preservation and Retention of Federal and Military 
                     Monuments in the United States

       Whereas, At different times through history there have been 
     attempts by either the Filipino government or other groups to 
     petition the United States Government for the return of the 
     church bells taken by American military forces from the 
     belfry of the church in Balangiga, Samar, Philippines; and
       Whereas, Any return of a Federal or military monument by 
     the United States of America would set a negative and 
     dangerous precedent on any and all Federal or military 
     monuments; and
       Whereas, Military monuments honor those servicemen and 
     servicewomen whose sacrifice for the United States of America 
     has preserved the nation and recognizes those who have 
     sacrificed their lives in service to their country; and
       Whereas, Returning any military monument should never be 
     considered as contributing to the enhancement or 
     reaffirmation of any friendly relationship with foreign 
     countries; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, by The American Legion, Department of Wyoming 
     Executive Committee through mail in vote on 14 March 2012, 
     that The American Legion, Department of Wyoming urge the 
     Congress of the United States to establish such laws to 
     preserve and protect all Federal and military monuments 
     within the United States from any foreign government or 
     religious order who attempts to have any Federal and military 
     monument removed from the United States of America. And be it
       Finally Resolved: That this resolution be forwarded to the 
     National Executive Committee for action in May 2012.
                                  ____

                                            Ninety-Eighth National


                            Convention of the American Legion,

                     Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug. 30, 31, Sept. 1, 2016.
       Resolution No. 56: Protection, Preservation and Retention 
     of Federal and Military Monuments in the United States.
       Origin: Wyoming.
       Submitted by: Convention Committee on National Security 
     (Consolidated with Resolution No. 27 (NE)).
       Whereas, At different times through history there have been 
     attempts by either the Filipino government or other groups to 
     petition the United States government for the return of the 
     church bells taken by American military forces from the 
     belfry of the church in Balangiga, Samar, Philippines; and
       Whereas, Any return of a federal or military monument by 
     the United States of America would set a negative and 
     dangerous precedent on any and all federal or military 
     monuments; and
       Whereas, Military monuments honor those servicemen and 
     servicewomen whose sacrifice for the United States of America 
     has preserved the nation and recognizes those who have 
     sacrificed their lives in service to their country; and
       Whereas, Returning any military monument should never be 
     considered as contributing to the enhancement or 
     reaffirmation of any friendly relationship with foreign 
     countries; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, By The American Legion in National Convention 
     assembled in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 30, 31, September 1, 
     2016, That The American Legion urge the Congress of the 
     United States to establish such laws to preserve, protect and 
     retain all federal and military monuments within the United 
     States from any foreign government or religious order who 
     attempts to have any federal and military monument removed 
     from the United States of America.
                                  ____

                                              The American Legion,


                             Office of the National Commander,

                               Washington, DC, September 14, 2017.
     Hon. John Barrasso,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Barrasso: On behalf of the 2 million members 
     of The American Legion,

[[Page S7245]]

     we express support for Amendment Number 738 proposed for 
     inclusion in the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act 
     (NDAA), as written. If adopted, this amendment would require 
     Congressional authorization to move war memorials overseas 
     and prohibit moving the Bells of Balangiga from F.E. Warren 
     Air Force Base in Cheyenne, WY to the Philippines absent such 
     authorization, The American Legion was proud to support your 
     amendment to the 2013 NDAA that requires Congressional 
     authorization to move war memorials overseas. As you know, 
     that prohibition expires September 30, 2017.
       For more than two decades, there have been attempts by 
     either the Filipino government or other groups to petition 
     the United States government for the return of the church 
     bells taken by American military forces from the belfry of 
     the church in Balangiga, Samar, Philippines in 1901 during 
     the Philippine American War. Military monuments honor those 
     servicemen and servicewomen whose sacrifice for this country 
     has preserved the nation and recognizes those who have 
     sacrificed their lives in service to their country. Returning 
     any military monument should never be considered as 
     contributing to the enhancement or reaffirmation of any 
     friendly relationship with foreign countries.
       The American Legion Resolution 56, Protection, Preservation 
     and Retention of Federal and Military Monuments in the United 
     States, passed at the 2016 National Convention, urges 
     Congress to establish such laws to preserve, protect and 
     retain all federal and military monuments within the United 
     States from any foreign government or religious order who 
     attempts to have any federal and military monument removed 
     from the United States of America.
       Again, The American Legion supports Amendment Number 738, 
     and we thank you for addressing this important issue facing 
     America's servicemembers and veterans.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Denise H. Rohan,
     National Commander.
                                  ____



                                     U.S. Department of State,

                                 Washington, DC, November 2, 2017.
     Hon. John Barrasso,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Barrasso: Thank you for your letter of 
     September 6 to the President regarding the Bells of 
     Balangiga. We were asked to respond on the President's 
     behalf.
       We celebrate the proud and distinguished service of 
     Wyoming's Sons and Daughters to our great nation, and we are 
     humbled and grateful for the service and sacrifice America's 
     Veterans have made in support of liberty and freedom at home 
     and abroad.
       We understand and appreciate the importance of war 
     memorials, and we share your concern that memorials be 
     properly managed and the service and sacrifice of fallen 
     Americans and Veterans be recognized and honored 
     appropriately.
       The Department of State is not aware of, nor involved in, 
     any immediate plans to the remove or dismantle the Veteran's 
     War Memorial, including the Bells of Balangiga, from F.E. 
     Warren Air Force Base.
       There is a specific war memorial provision included in the 
     House version of the FY 18 National Defense Authorization Act 
     (NDAA), and the House and Senate versions of the NDAA bills 
     are currently in conference committee. For more information 
     about that provision or activities on F.E. Warren Air Force 
     Base we respectfully refer you to the Department of Defense.
       We thank you for raising this important issue. We hope this 
     information is useful. Please do not hesitate to let us know 
     if we can be of further assistance.
           Sincerely,
                                              Charles S. Faulkner,
     Bureau of Legislative Affairs.
                                  ____


                         Senator John Barrasso

       In 2012, the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department 
     of Defense initiated a process to remove a war memorial in 
     Wyoming, called the Bells of Balangiga. It honors the lives 
     of 48 soldiers who were massacred in their sleep by 
     insurgents in the Philippines on September 28, 1901. The U.S. 
     Department of Defense in coordination with the U.S. 
     Department of State intentionally withheld this information 
     from Congress. The veterans in Wyoming overwhelmingly oppose 
     taking down this veteran memorial.
       1. Will you commit to me that you will not support any 
     efforts to deconstruct our war memorials that honor our 
     fallen soldiers and moving them to foreign countries?
       2. What is your position on the U.S. Department of State 
     withholding these actions from Congress?
       The Bells of Balangiga are an important war memorial that 
     holds real significance for many Americans, especially our 
     veterans. If confirmed, I will support an inclusive process 
     with the U.S. Department of Defense to ensure that Congress 
     is fully informed and the views of local communities and 
     veterans are fully respected when evaluating the management 
     of war memorials.

  Mr. BARRASSO. I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in 
morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.