[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 86 (Thursday, May 24, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2891]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                              Memorial Day

  Finally, Madam President, on a solemn note, before the Memorial Day 
weekend, I want to express my deep and abiding gratitude to the men and 
women in the armed services who gave their last full measure of 
devotion in defense of our Nation and our freedoms. This morning, I am 
thinking of one veteran: Larry Reilly, Sr., of Syracuse, NY. He was 
known to us by his naval rank: Chief Reilly. Chief Reilly served on the 
USS Frank E. Evans, along with his son who carried his name, Larry 
Reilly, Jr. The Frank E. Evans sunk, tragically, in a training accident 
just outside the combat zone during the Vietnam war, killing 74. Chief 
Reilly survived the accident; Larry Reilly, Jr., did not.

  Because the Department of Defense did not consider the Frank E. Evans 
disaster a wartime casualty--it was a short distance outside the combat 
zone--we will not find the name of Larry Reilly, Jr., on that wall of 
black stone a few miles from here. None of the names of the 74 sailors 
who died that day grace the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
  Chief Reilly spent much of his energies in the years since the war 
trying to right that wrong, to get his son and his son's fellow 
shipmates who passed away in that tragedy their rightful place in our 
Nation's history.
  Chief Reilly, I regret to inform everyone, passed away earlier this 
week. We who knew Chief Reilly remember him fondly. We send our 
condolences to his friends and his family, along with the message that 
his cause does not die with him. In his honor, we will continue to 
pressure the Pentagon to recognize the Frank E. Evans, and those who 
were killed when it suffered this tragedy, on the Vietnam Veterans 
Memorial.
  This weekend, as we honor our fallen veterans in big cities and in 
small towns throughout this grand country, I will be thinking of Chief 
Reilly and his son. May we never forget the sacrifices they made, along 
with so many others, so that we may all enjoy the full blessings of 
liberty.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Mississippi.
  (The remarks of Mr. Wicker pertaining to the introduction of S. 2955 
are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. WICKER. I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Cassidy). The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.