[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14817]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       COMMEMORATING THE 228TH BIRTHDAY OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

 Mr. HAGEL. Madam President, I rise today to wish the United 
States Army ``happy birthday.'' It was 228 years ago tomorrow, June 14, 
1775, that the Continental Army of the United States was formed. The 
United States Army has had a monumental impact on our country.
  Millions of men and women over the past 228 years have served in the 
senior most branch of our military forces. The Army is woven in the 
culture of America.
  For 228 years, the Army has protected the American values of liberty, 
freedom and democracy. Many people around the globe enjoy these 
freedoms because of the U.S. Army.
  The principles of ``Duty, Honor, Country'' are the foundation of the 
U.S. Army. It is America. Every generation of Americans who have served 
in the U.S. Army--from the Continental army to today's fighting men and 
women--have been shaped by these principles. It has molded lives in 
ways that are hard to explain, just as the Army has touched our 
national life and history and made the world more secure, prosperous, 
and a better place for all mankind.
  On this 228th birthday of the U.S. Army, as a proud U.S. Army 
veteran, I say happy birthday to the Army veterans of our country. We 
recognize and thank those who have sacrificed and served and those 
whose examples inspired those of us who have had the opportunity to 
serve in the U.S. Army.
  On this, the 228th birthday of the Army, I say ``Happy Birthday'' 
and, in the great rich tradition of the U.S. Army, I proclaim my annual 
Senate floor . . . ``HOOAH''

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