[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 26212-26213]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     TRIBUTE TO ADMIRAL VERN CLARK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 12, 2001

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the 60th 
anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Memorably described by 
President Franklin Roosevelt as ``a date which will live in infamy,'' 
Pearl Harbor Day has taken on added significance since September 11, 
when America was again ``suddenly and deliberately attacked.''
  Last week, I had the opportunity to participate in the 60th 
anniversary memorial services at Pearl Harbor. Admiral Vern Clark, 
Chief of Naval Operations for the Navy, gave a particularly moving 
speech at the USS Arizona Memorial in which he honored both the 
survivors of that terrible day and those serving our country today 
around the world.
  I have known Admiral Clark for many years, and his service in defense 
of freedom is exemplary. He could not have known when he became CNO 
less than two years ago that he would soon lead our navy in a difficult 
conflict of uncertain length. However, he is the right man for the job, 
and with his dedication and that of so many of his brave sailors and 
pilots, we are certain to prevail in this war against terror.
  Mr. Speaker, I am deeply grateful for Admiral Clark's service to our 
country, and I ask unanimous consent that his Pearl Harbor Day remarks 
be inserted into the Record.

                       Admiral Vern Clark Remarks

       Thank you Admiral Conway, Chairman Young, Congressman 
     Abercrombie, Congressman Frelinghuysen, Secretary Higgins, 
     Admiral Blair, Secretary Morales, flag and general officers, 
     distinguished guests, honored survivors of the attack on 
     Pearl Harbor, fellow Sailors, ladies and gentlemen--Good 
     morning.
       Pearl Harbor is a special place to this Nation and to the 
     United States Navy. For 60 years now we have remembered this 
     day.
       Our ships come and go, and every ship that comes by this 
     site renders honors to USS Arizona, paying tribute to this 
     ship and the Sailors our Nation lost that day.
       In the peaceful, quiet calm that enfolds this memorial this 
     morning, it is difficult for me to imagine the shock, the 
     chaos, the violence, the death that gripped this beautiful 
     harbor sixty years ago--and several wars ago.
       Imagine the smoke, the flames, the shattering noises, the 
     screaming bombs, the rush of torpedoes, the broken ships and 
     planes, and our men running to their battle stations, running 
     to fight, and broken lives. For most of us, these things are 
     simply beyond comprehension.
       Relatively few Americans today have come face-to-face with 
     the horrors of war. A diminishing number fought in the global 
     war that--for the United States--began here.
       There are very few, indeed, who can say, ``I was at Pearl 
     Harbor.'' Yet such men are among us here today, and they 
     honor us with their presence--the Pearl Harbor Survivors.
       By my best count there are 21 of you here today--
     representing the hundreds who will be in Hawaii for this 
     commemorative event. I want to thank you for coming. But even 
     more so, I want to thank you for your great service to our 
     country. I want you to know that I am very proud to be part 
     of a generation that simply followed you. Collectively, we 
     all salute you this morning.


       There are few phrases in the English language that evoke 
     awe, that connote a truly special meaning. But, such is the 
     case with the phrase, ``I was at Pearl Harbor.''
       There is no need for a survivor to say the date--it is 
     branded forever in our national memory. As our President at 
     the time said, it is a date that ``lives in infamy.''
       For those of us who lived in the last half of the 20th 
     Century, it is a date that stands out in American history. it 
     is unique. ``Before Pearl Harbor'' was quite literally a 
     different era than ``after Pearl Harbor.'' Every American 
     learns the Pledge of Allegiance--every American is taught 
     about George Washington--every American knows about Pearl 
     Harbor. What happened here profoundly altered our national 
     experience. It is part of who we are as a people.
       This morning, we come to this place--again. We gather to 
     pay homage to the heroes of a war long over. As we come this 
     time, we are at war again--our homeland attacked.
       As we pause to commemorate the bravery and sacrifices of 
     these shipmates, we draw strength from the world-changing 
     events of Sunday, December 7th, 1941--especially here at USS 
     Arizona where so many Sailors and Marines are entombed. In 
     this solemn memorial, I am reminded of the words spoken 
     during an earlier war, a terrible civil war. President 
     Lincoln said, ``From these honored dead we take increased 
     devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full 
     measure of devotion.''
       Freedom--Government of the people, by the people, for the 
     people--these are the most important treasures for those who 
     live in the land of the free.
       Freedom and democracy are an inheritance, hard-won by past 
     generations for us to enjoy.
       But freedom and democracy are also the unfinished work that 
     is left for us to defend, to carry forward, and to hand down 
     to future generations. Now we are at war with enemies

[[Page 26213]]

     who hate freedom and democracy. They want a society of 
     coercion. They want a political order of force. Their brand 
     of tyranny is willing to resort to terror, and the slaughter 
     of innocents.
       The Americans of 1941 answered the call. Today, Americans 
     are doing so again. It's our turn. It is time for us to 
     rededicate our lives to the cause of freedom, so that 
     children in our nation and others will enjoy the fruits of 
     freedom.
       We citizens of the United States have a profound 
     responsibility to protect this Nation, the self-evident 
     truths on which it was founded and the Constitution under 
     which it has flourished. In this mission, we act not only for 
     ourselves and our society, but in the concert of many 
     nations--including our now close ally, Japan, and the 
     community of nations that recognize the free world must stop 
     the threat posed by this recent version of terror. Together 
     let us stay the course.
       In 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor was followed by grim 
     months of defeat and frustration in the Pacific until the 
     Battle of Midway in June 1942. It was more than three tough 
     years before victory was sealed onboard USS Missouri, moored 
     just a few hundred yards away.
       As with that struggle, this new war is likely to be long 
     and challenging. To win, we must show the same dedication and 
     fortitude that our forefathers displayed during the Second 
     World War. I have every confidence that we will do so.
       On 11 September, your Navy and Marine Corps team was ready. 
     Your Fleet was ready to respond to the orders of the 
     President and the whole Congress. We were ready to fight and 
     we are winning today.
       Today's young Americans, young Sailors, young Marines--
     along with their comrades in the Army, and Air Force and 
     Coast Guard--they are as dedicated, as brave, and as 
     determined as their predecessors. They are as equipped, with 
     the example of fortitude and determination that grew from 
     Pearl Harbor. They are motivated by your examples of service 
     and heroism. They cherish the stories of the greatest 
     generation. They, like you, are carrying the banner of 
     freedom throughout this world.
       Many of them are over there right now, afloat and ashore, 
     taking the fight to our enemies. Many are on watch elsewhere 
     in other distant parts of the world. Many are getting ready 
     to go, as their President asked them to do. These young 
     people, of whom I am so proud, are all doing a magnificent 
     job.
       With the steadfast support of the American people and our 
     friends around the world, the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, 
     Marines and Coast Guardsmen of this generation will do their 
     part to win this war, to secure the blessings of liberty for 
     ourselves and our children and generations of Americans yet 
     to come--just like you did.
       To the memory and legacy of those who made the ultimate 
     sacrifice, to those resting in this hallowed place, we extend 
     again the thanks of a grateful nation. We extend the promise 
     that their sacrifice will be honored. All of us who serve and 
     wear the cloth of the nation today--we commit, we promise 
     anew to do our duty so that America will remain the beacon of 
     hope, the lighthouse of freedom, and the bastion of liberty. 
     We make this promise in the memory of those who served and 
     gave their lives in this place.

     

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