[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 189 (Sunday, November 9, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8036-S8038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I am honored and proud to be here
today with the Presiding Officer in the Chair, a veteran--albeit of the
Navy, not the Marine Corps--and to be accompanied by a fellow marine,
Senator Sullivan, to whom I will yield shortly.
I am especially honored to pay tribute to one of the Nation's most
storied and steadfast institutions in the history--the entire history--
of our Nation, the U.S. Marine Corps, which marks its 250th anniversary
on Monday.
As legend and history have it, 250 years ago, in the back room of Tun
Tavern in Philadelphia, a new fighting force was born, a force of grit,
determination, and unshakable loyalty. Since that day in 1775, marines
have answered every call, without any exception, with courage and
conviction, not because it was easy but because it was right.
The motto of the Marine Corps, ``Semper Fidelis''--``Always
Faithful''--is more than just a phrase; it is a lifelong commitment. As
we know, there are no former marines, and there are no ex-marines. It
is a lifelong commitment and identity. ``Semper Fidelis'' speaks to the
bond between marines, to the cause they serve, and to the Nation that
they protect. That bond by no means ends with Active Duty. It continues
in communities across America where marines continue to serve, living
out the values of America as teachers, first responders, public
servants, and leaders.
The Marine Corps has fought in every American conflict from the
Revolutionary War to the War on Terror. On the beaches of Iwo Jima, in
the frozen mountains of Korea, in the jungles of Vietnam, and in the
sands of Fallujah, marines have stood their ground. They have led from
the front, often at great personal cost, with no expectation of glory.
Telling the story of America is impossible without telling the story
of the U.S. Marine Corps. Their sacrifices have safeguarded our
freedom. Their discipline has inspired generations. Their traditions of
toughness, honor, and duty have stood the test of time. Historic
battles exemplify the Marine Corps' unyielding commitment to courage,
sacrifice, and duty, and they define the very character of our
military: Derna, Chapultepec, First Bull Run, Belleau Wood,
Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, the Chosin Reservoir,
Khe Sanh, Hue, the liberation of Kuwait, Fallujah, and Helmand
Province.
Marines have not only fought our wars, they have also responded to
humanitarian crises, assisted in natural disasters, and stood sentry in
times of peace. They are not just warfighters; they are ambassadors of
American resolve and resilience. This milestone of 250 years is an
opportunity to reflect, to honor, and to recommit.
We honor the thousands of marines who never made it home, who gave
their last full measure of devotion, as the saying goes. We honor the
Gold Star families who carry their memory every single day. We honor
the wounded in body and some in spirit whose lives are forever shaped
by their service. We honor every marine, past and present, who has
earned the title with sweat, sacrifice, and a fierce sense of purpose.
Let me acknowledge, as well, the families who stand behind every
marine: spouses, children, parents. They serve quietly, often without
any recognition, but always with deep devotion. Their strength sustains
the Corps, those families, those friends, those loved ones. Their
sacrifices, too, must be honored.
The 250th anniversary is not only a celebration; it is a solemn
reminder we make to all who wear the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor that we
will never forget their service and that we will always fight to give
them the support, care, and respect they have earned.
This milestone is a chance to educate future generations about what
it means to serve and why the Marine Corps' legacy matters not just in
history books but in the daily defense of
[[Page S8037]]
our democracy and our ideals. The world has never been more dangerous
and more in need of that service.
As we look to the next 250 years of the greatest Nation in the
history of the world, let's ensure that our policies, our resources,
and our commitments match the trust we place in all of our military,
including our U.S. Marines. We need to provide our marines and our
military men and women with the tools and the resources they need to
fight and win and the care they deserve when they return home.
It is not about the rhetoric or just the celebration of birthdays.
What really matters is what we do between the birthdays to keep faith
with our men and women in uniform and afterward when they return to our
great Nation. We can leave no veteran behind in healthcare as well as
in education and training and in everything they need to be successful
when they come back. Let us rededicate ourselves to the ideals they
uphold: freedom, justice, service above self.
To every marine, from the youngest recruit on Parris Island or in San
Diego to the oldest veteran in our communities, we say thank you. Thank
you for your service. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for never
wavering as a marine.
Happy birthday, U.S. Marine Corps.
Semper Fidelis.
I am happy now to yield to my colleague and friend from Alaska and
fellow marine, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. To the colonel of the Marines and the Senator
from Alaska, Semper Fi.
Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. President, I want to thank my colleague Senator
Blumenthal and the Presiding Officer for his great service. We do know
the Marine Corps is part of the Department of the Navy, so we are all
related here. I won't say what I used to say to my father, who was a
Navy officer, in response to that, but it is an honor to be on the
Senate floor here with Senator Blumenthal, my colleague and fellow
marine.
You know, there is a lot of frustration going on here in the Senate.
We are trying to get this government reopened and pay our workers and
people are suffering, but I do think it is also important to switch
gears and come down here, in a bipartisan fashion, to agree to S. Res.
124, by Senator Blumenthal and me, on commemorating the 250th
anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps, a truly remarkable milestone by
one of America's most remarkable institutions. That happens tomorrow,
on November 10--our birthday, the Marine Corps' birthday.
Now, we marines--Mr. President, you know this--take our November 10
birthday very seriously. No matter where marines are anywhere in the
world, deployed, they always take time to celebrate the birthday of our
beloved Corps on November 10. Everybody in the Marine Corps wishes each
other happy birthday.
We also are kind of proud of the fact that we are the only military
service that was founded in a bar. Yes, that is true. Tun Tavern in
Philadelphia, PA, is where the Marine Corps was founded.
At our celebrations, we do a lot. They are great celebrations. If you
haven't been to one, anyone watching, I encourage you to go to a Marine
Corps birthday ball. You will have the time of your life. You will come
away filled with a sense of patriotism and pride whether you served in
the military in the Marine Corps or not. You will love it.
At these birthday celebrations, we, of course, as Senator Blumenthal
mentioned, remember our fallen. We recommit ourselves to keeping the
marines the world's finest fighting force, which it is and has been for
decades. We take time to recognize not just the marines present but, in
particular, the oldest and youngest marines present.
We have a very solemn cake-cutting ceremony. In fact, after the
birthday cake is cut with a Mameluke sword, the guest of honor presents
the first piece of cake to the oldest marine present, and then he hands
that piece of cake off, after he takes a bite, to the youngest marine
present, signifying the passing of heritage and culture and tradition
from one generation to the other.
Last night, there were two special Marine Corps balls that I cared a
lot about. One--the one I really care about--was in Anchorage, AK,
hosted by Delta Company, 4th Law Enforcement Battalion. I was very
honored and set to be there as a guest of honor last night. This is the
Alaska Marine Corps ball. We have such a great time. I have been going
to that ball for years with my wife, my daughters, friends, fellow
marines. Alas, given the work we are doing here in the Senate to reopen
the government, I was not able to attend--a huge disappointment for me.
I really, really wanted to be in Alaska with my fellow marines and my
family.
There was also another Marine Corps ball last night. It was actually
in DC here, the Commandant's ball. At the last minute, I thought, hey,
if I can't be in Anchorage, I am going to at least celebrate the 250th
with the Commandant, some top generals, top enlisted marines, a couple
of my Senate colleagues--Senator Ernst and Senator Daines. Vice
President JD Vance was a guest of honor. By the way, he is the first
marine Vice President ever, so he got a lot of shouts and recognition
last night.
But the marine who stole the show last night was the oldest marine,
Cpl Nils Mockler--99 years old; born in 1926; Iwo Jima combat marine,
D1; looking as strong as he did when he was an 18-year-old corporal
storming the beaches of Iwo Jima. Last night, he was there. The place
went nuts when he was recognized--a 5-minute standing ovation for this
great American hero. What a moment.
Finally, at every Marine Corps birthday ball throughout the world for
the last hundred years, this message that I am going to read right now
is read. It is the message delivered to the marines on the birthday of
the Marine Corps by the Commandant of the Marine Corps.
The 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. John Lejeune, in 1921
issued this message, and ever since then, since 1921, every single
Marine Corps birthday celebration for over a hundred years has had this
proclamation read. It was read last night in Anchorage; it was read
last night in DC; and for the Marine Corps balls today and tomorrow on
November 10, it will be read there. Here is what it says--remember,
this is from 1921, but it kind of gives you a sense of how we feel
about our illustrious Corps. It is a message from the Commandant of the
Marine Corps, republished in the U.S. Marine Corps Manual, edition
1921:
On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a
resolution of the Continental Congress. Since that date many
thousand men have borne the name Marine. In memory of them it
is fitting that we who are marines should commemorate the
birthday of our corps by calling to mind the glories of its
long and illustrious history.
The record of our corps is one which will bear comparison
with that of the most famous military organizations in the
world's history. During 90 of the 146 years of its existence
the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation's
foes. From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne, marines have
won foremost honors in war, and in the long eras of
tranquility at home generation after generation of marines
have grown gray in war in both hemispheres, and in every
corner of the seven seas that our country and its citizens
might enjoy peace and security.
In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our corps
marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest
distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the
term marine has come to signify all that is highest in
military efficiency and soldierly virtue.
This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who
are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in
the corps. With it we also received from them the eternal
spirit which has animated our corps from generation to
generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the
marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to
flourish marines will be found equal to every emergency in
the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our
Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line
of illustrious men who have served as ``Soldiers of the Sea''
since the founding of the corps.
Mr. President, you have heard that before. That is the message of the
Marine Corps birthday from the Commandant of the Marine Corps, John
Lejeune, issued in 1921. Every marine hears this every year, and it is
still incredibly relevant.
I want to thank Senator Blumenthal again for leading this effort on
the 250th birthday resolution that we are going to pass here in the
Senate in commemoration of the Marine Corps' founding.
We have a long tradition of being the service that is most ready when
our Nation is least ready.
Again, to all the marines out there, ``Semper Fi,'' happy birthday,
and here is to 250 more years for our Corps.
[[Page S8038]]
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Connecticut.
Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I thank my colleague from Alaska for
those very powerful words from himself and the Commandant.
As he has remarked, this Marine Corps birthday always has enormous
personal meaning for all of us who have served in the U.S. Marine
Corps, including for my son Matthew, who was in Helmand Province. I am
hopeful that he will invite his younger brother to one of the Marine
Corps balls. Michael served as a Navy SEAL.
This occasion is joined by our colleagues Senators Gallego and Young,
also marines, and I am sure is supported by others in this body and in
the House of Representatives who have served.
So on this great occasion, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee
on Armed Services be discharged from further consideration of S. Res.
124 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
The bill clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 124) recognizing the 250th
anniversary of the United States Marine Corps.
There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the
Senate proceeded to consider the resolution.
Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
resolution be agreed to; the Blumenthal amendment to the preamble,
which is at the desk, be considered and agreed to; the preamble, as
amended, be agreed to; and that the motions to reconsider be considered
made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 124) was agreed to.
The amendment (No. 3936) to the preamble was agreed to as follows:
(Purpose: To include the liberation of Helmand Province in the list of
historic battles where United States Marines served)
In the eighth whereas clause, strike ``the liberation of
Kuwait, and Fallujah'' and insert ``and the liberation of
Kuwait, Fallujah, and Helmand Province''.
The preamble, as amended, was agreed to.
The resolution with its preamble, as amended, reads as follows:
S. Res. 124
Whereas November 10, 2025, marks the 250th anniversary of
the United States Marine Corps;
Whereas the United States Marine Corps holds a unique place
in the history of this country and in the hearts of our
people;
Whereas the United States Marine Corps embodies the values
of honor, courage, and commitment, inspiring generations of
people of the United States to serve and defend their
country;
Whereas the United States Marine Corps has earned a
distinguished reputation for readiness in its role and
faithfulness in its mission, both in times of war and in
times of peace;
Whereas the United States Marine Corps has distinguished
itself as a premier fighting force that is consistently
prepared to face the challenges of tomorrow and adapt to the
evolving character of warfare;
Whereas the United States Marine Corps has consistently
demonstrated its ability to adapt to emerging threats and to
respond to the security needs of the United States from its
founding to the present day;
Whereas tradition has it that the United States Marine
Corps had its beginning at Tun Tavern in the city of
Philadelphia on the 10th day of November 1775, 250 years ago;
and
Whereas this historic milestone is the result of the skill
of the United States Marine Corps in battle, its
distinguished leadership, its extraordinary courage, and its
selfless sacrifice in every major war of the United States
from the Revolution to the Global War on Terrorism, including
service at such historic battles as Princeton, Derna,
Chapultepec, First Bull Run, Belleau Wood, Guadalcanal,
Tarawa, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, the Chosin Reservoir, Khe
Sanh, Hue, and the liberation of Kuwait, Fallujah, and
Helmand Province: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) recognizes the 250th anniversary of the United States
Marine Corps;
(2) remembers and venerates the Marines and Navy corpsmen
who gave their last full measure of devotion on the
battlefield;
(3) affirms the motto Semper Fidelis, embodying the
honorable commitment of every Marine, past and present, who
remain Always Faithful;
(4) honors the service and sacrifice of the men and women
who serve the United States today carrying on the proud
tradition of the Marines who came before them;
(5) reaffirms the bonds of friendship and shared values
between the United States Marine Corps and allied fighting
forces;
(6) salutes the 250th year since the founding of the United
States Marine Corps;
(7) invites the people of the United States to join in the
celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States
Marine Corps by attending commemorative events, sharing
stories of United States Marine Corps valor and achievement,
and recognizing those who have earned the title of United
States Marine over the past 250 years; and
(8) encourages communities across the United States to
recognize and honor the contributions of local Marines, and
to partner with the United States Marine Corps to promote
civic engagement and mutual support.
Mr. BLUMENTHAL. I yield the floor.
____________________