[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 15]
[House]
[Pages 21276-21277]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT A MINUTE OF SILENCE SHOULD BE 
                   OBSERVED ANNUALLY ON VETERANS DAY

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 195) expressing the 
sense of Congress that a minute of silence should be observed annually 
at 11:00 a.m. on Veterans Day, November 11, in honor of the veterans of 
all United States wars and to memorialize those members of the Armed 
Forces who gave their lives in the defense of the United States.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 195

       Whereas Reverend George Fox, Rabbi Alexander Goode, 
     Reverend Clark Poling, and Father John Washington served 
     aboard the USAT Dorchester during World War II;
       Whereas Reverend Fox, Rabbi Goode, Reverend Poling, and 
     Father Washington were referred to as the ``Four Chaplains'';
       Whereas, on February 3, 1943, the Dorchester was hit by an 
     enemy torpedo and began to sink;
       Whereas in the face of grave danger the Four Chaplains 
     sought to calm and reassure the men on board;
       Whereas the Four Chaplains handed out lifejackets and 
     directed the frightened men to lifeboats;
       Whereas when the last lifejacket had been handed out, the 
     Four Chaplains removed their own lifejackets and gave them to 
     four men who had none;
       Whereas the Dorchester sank and took with her 672 men and 
     the Four Chaplains, who stood arm in arm with their heads 
     bowed in prayer and went down with the ship;
       Whereas none of the Four Chaplains inquired about whether 
     the young man to whom he gave his lifejacket was a member of 
     his own faith;
       Whereas the Four Chaplains will remain forever in the 
     memories of Americans as an example of the kind of heroism 
     which has always characterized the best of the United States 
     Armed Forces;
       Whereas the sacrifice of the Four Chaplains stand as a 
     testimony to all heroic veterans who have fought for the 
     United States;
       Whereas each year on November 11 the United States pays 
     tribute to its war dead and veterans in a national observance 
     known as Veterans Day; and
       Whereas a national minute of silence observed annually at 
     11:00 a.m. on Veterans Day, November 11, would provide the 
     people of the United States with an opportunity to honor the 
     veterans of all United States wars and memorialize those 
     members of the Armed Forces who gave their lives in defense 
     of the United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that a minute 
     of silence should be observed annually at 11:00 a.m. on 
     Veterans Day, November 11, in honor of the veterans of all 
     United States wars and to memorialize those members of the 
     Armed Forces who gave their lives in the defense of the 
     United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.

                              {time}  0215

  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 195, legislation 
expressing the sense of Congress that a minute of silence should be 
observed annually at 11 a.m. on Veterans Day, November 11, in honor of 
the veterans of all United States wars and to memorialize those members 
of the Armed Forces who gave their lives in defense of our country.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution recounts a particularly moving event 
from World War II. On February 3, 1943, a German U-boat torpedoed the 
American transport ship, the USAT Dorchester, sinking it off the coast 
of Greenland. Among the nearly 1,000 American soldiers aboard the 
Dorchester were four chaplains whose selfless acts of courage have left 
a distinguished legacy.
  The four chaplains, Reverend Fox, Rabbi Goode, Reverend Poling, and 
Father Washington worked to help save their fellow soldiers. They 
distributed life jackets until no more were available. Then the four 
chaplains removed their own life jackets and gave them to four other 
soldiers.
  True to their faiths and to their fellow men until the end, they were 
last seen arms linked in prayer on the hull of the ship as it went 
down.
  The sacrifice of the four chaplains stands as a testimony to all 
heroic veterans who have fought for the United States. A stained glass 
window on the third floor of the Pentagon's A-ring honors these brave 
Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 195 would provide the people of the U.S. 
with an opportunity to honor the veterans of all the United States wars 
and to memorialize those members of the Armed Forces who gave their 
lives in defense of our Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great reverence that I support this 
concurrent resolution for a minute of silence at 11 a.m. on Veterans 
Day. On Veterans Day we recognize the over 26 million veterans in our 
country. We remember those who have passed away, and we honor those who 
currently wear the uniform. They are inspiring stories of shared 
sacrifice that come out of every battle in every war and conflict, none 
more telling than the one of ``the four chaplains'' of World War II.
  These four chaplains shall not be forgotten nor will the many 
veterans who go unlisted by name on Veterans Day. These stories will be 
remembered as just one example of all historic service members who have 
fought and died for the United States.
  November 11 has been set aside as the day of tribute to these men and 
women who have answered the call to service for our Nation. A minute of 
silence at 11 a.m. on Veterans Day will give all Americans the 
opportunity to pause and remember all veterans of the United States who 
have given so much in service to our country.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I do want once again want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Evans), the ranking member, and the gentleman from New Jersey (Chairman 
Smith) for all that they have done for the veterans of our country.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a strong 
supporter of H. Con. Res. 195 which expresses the sense of Congress 
that a minute of silence should be observed annually at 11:00 a.m. on 
Veterans Day, November 11, in honor of the veterans of all United 
States wars and to memorialize those members of the Armed Forces who 
gave their lives in the defense of the United States. I am proud to be 
a cosponsor of this legislation and I want to thank my distinguished 
colleague Congressman Clay for

[[Page 21277]]

honoring our veterans through this needed legislation. An annual moment 
of silence during Veteran's Day will serve as a constant reminder to 
the public that our nation will always honor their decorated veterans. 
Veteran's Day being the one day when we celebrate America's veterans 
for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and 
sacrifice for the common good.
  The idea of having a national day to recognize the sacrifices of 
those who served in war was born in 1926, when Congress enacted a 
concurrent resolution recognizing November 11th as a national holiday. 
Originally this day was called ``Armistice Day.'' This day was created 
to celebrate the end of the brutal hostilities of World War I. November 
11th would be a day dedicated to the cause of world peace.
  With the approval of legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11th 
became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. Later that same 
year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, himself a 
decorated veteran of war, issued the first ``Veterans Day 
Proclamation'' which stated in part: ``In order to insure proper and 
widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' 
organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the 
common purpose.'' It was with that endearing spirit that America 
celebrated the first Veterans Day. This annual holiday continues to be 
one the most fundamental celebrations of the American spirit. Today, we 
express our sentiment that a moment of silence is needed to remember 
the full extent of sacrifices our veterans have made for this great 
nation.
  This legislation is just a small portion of the effort being made by 
some in this body to protect and celebrate our nation's valiant 
veterans. We must all continue to fight for them in Washington because 
they went to the greatest lengths to fight for us abroad.
  In the 18th Congressional district of Texas alone there are more than 
38,000 veterans and they make up almost ten percent of the 18th 
district's civilian population over the age of 18. Yet, despite these 
large numbers we often forget about our veterans. We do this in part 
because our men and women of the armed services come home from war and 
lead normal productive lives; often our veterans go unnoticed in the 
general population. However, our veterans are not normal people; they 
are truly extraordinary individuals who have changed the course of our 
lives in ways that we may not even realize. I hope we will always keep 
this thought in mind; and observing a moment of silence on Veteran's 
Day will help us to remember. We cannot forget to celebrate our 
veterans, for if we forget to celebrate them, we forget all that makes 
this nation truly great. I urge all Members to support this legislation 
and to support our nation's veterans because without their sacrifice 
our nation would not be where it is today.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent 
Resolution 195. It is most fitting and appropriate that the American 
people observe a moment of silence each year to remember and honor all 
the brave men and women who have given their lives in defense of our 
great nation.
  A moment of silence on Veterans Day will give a national experience 
to the observance of this important federal holiday. This legislation's 
Veterans Day observance is also a special tribute to the valiant 
efforts of the Four Chaplains--Reverend George Fox, Rabbi Alexander 
Goode, Reverend Clark Poling and Father John Washington, who gave up 
their lives while serving on the USAT Dorchester during World War II. 
That ship was hit by enemy torpedo on February 3, 1943, and sank in the 
icy waters of the North Atlantic. The Four Chaplains helped to instill 
a sense of calm and reassurance to the soldiers in battle. They gave 
spiritual guidance and support as they gave up their own life jackets 
to those who had none. These American heroes then stood, arm in arm, 
heads bowed in prayer and went down with their ship.
  The Four Chaplains will be forever remembered as heroes who 
characterized the very best qualities of American soldiers. Their lives 
serve as a testimony to all the heroes who have fought for our nation. 
Today, across the United States the memory of the Four Chaplains 
continues to bring comfort and inspiration. Four Chaplains Services 
bring together people of all races, faiths and creed in more than 2,000 
interfaith services each year. It is only proper that our nation honor 
and celebrate the memory of the Four Chaplains.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to express my appreciation to the Veterans 
Committee for moving this legislation forward; I appreciate all the 
members who have worked so hard to enhance our Veterans Day 
celebration. I want to especially thank my friend, Mr. Pascrell, for 
all his efforts to promote a national moment of silence in honor of our 
nation's veterans and when the legislation before us is enacted into 
law, I would certainly hope that all radio and television stations will 
join in observing the Veterans Day moment of silence.
  America's veterans are without any question the group most worthy of 
the gratitude of the people of our nation. It is time that we honor our 
heroes in a shared national moment of silence.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ose). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
195.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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