[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 200 (Thursday, December 7, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 7, 2017

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
honor the victims who were killed during the devastating attack on 
Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941--a date which will live in infamy.
  Seventy-six years ago today, more than 2,000 American citizens lost 
their lives and more than 1,000 others were injured in a surprise 
attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy.
  The attack on Pearl Harbor shook our nation to its core. Up until 
this point, the United States had largely remained neutral during the 
Second World War. However, as a testament to our strength and our 
resolve, the United States declared war against the Japanese and 
entered World War II just one day following the attack. Contrary to 
what the Japanese had intended, the attack had only emboldened our 
nation to forge our own path to victory.
  Tragedies such as the attack on Pearl Harbor serve as a stark 
reminder of the great personal sacrifices that our men and women in 
uniform must make in the service of protecting our nation. While many 
soldiers are fortunate enough to return from service, plenty of others 
have given up their lives in the act of duty. We are forever indebted 
to these men and women who have given their lives to protect our 
freedoms and way of life.
  Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is also about paying tribute to those 
who served--and survived--during the attack. Petty Officer Doris 
``Dorie'' Miller was one such American who fought bravely during the 
conflict. Petty Officer Miller displayed remarkable courage when his 
ship, the USS West Virginia, came under attack. As the fighting 
occurred, Miller dragged his ship's commander, who was mortally wounded 
by shrapnel, out of the line of fire to safety. He then manned a 50-
caliber Browning antiaircraft machine gun and shot down at least three 
of the 29 Japanese planes that went down that day until he was ordered 
to abandon ship. While Petty Officer Miller survived the attack on 
Pearl Harbor, he sadly lost his life during a second attack during the 
Battle of Makin Island when a Japanese submarine and aircraft attack 
sunk his ship.
  Mr. Speaker, the attack on Pearl Harbor was a defining moment in 
United States history. Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day helps to remind us 
of the importance of defending our freedoms and the heavy cost of doing 
so. We are reminded on this day of those who lost their lives, but also 
the countless other veterans--such as Dorie Miller--who have made 
invaluable contributions to our success during the Second World War.

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