[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 12338-12339]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       230TH BIRTHDAY OF THE ARMY

  Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise this morning to wish the U.S. Army 
happy birthday. It was 230 years ago today, June 14, 1775, that the 
Continental Army of the United States was born. Over the past 230 
years, millions of men and women have served in the oldest branch of 
our Armed Forces. Their honor, courage, sacrifice, and service are 
woven into the culture of this great, country.
  The principles of duty, honor, and country have been the foundation 
of our Army and of our country. Their honor, their courage, their 
sacrifice, and service are woven into the culture of this great Nation. 
It is America. Every generation of Americans who have served in the 
U.S. Army, from the Continental Army to our fighting men and women 
serving today in Iraq and Afghanistan, have been shaped by these 
principles, have molded lives in ways that are hard to explain.
  Just as the U.S. Army has touched our national life and history, it 
has touched the lives of citizens of the world.
  The U.S. Army has protected American values of liberty, freedom, and 
democracy and made the world a more secure, prosperous, and better 
place for all mankind.
  It is only appropriate we recognize the monumental contributions of 
this great institution, contributions to America and the world.
  On this 230th birthday of the U.S. Army, we also recognize and thank 
those who have sacrificed and served. We thank their families. Their 
examples are an inspiration to those who have had the privilege to 
serve in the U.S. Army. They will continue to inspire future 
generations.
  On this, the 230th birthday of the Army, I say happy birthday to the 
Army. In the great, rich tradition of the U.S. Army, and as a proud 
U.S. Army veteran, I proclaim my annual Senate floor ``hoo-haw.''
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Mexico.
  Mr. DOMENICI. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call 
be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Senator from Oklahoma is recognized.
  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, as the senior Senator from Nebraska said, 
today, June 14, is the 230th birthday of the U.S. Army.
  Although we commend the service of the men and women of all branches, 
Active Duty and Reserve components, on this day the Senate Army Caucus, 
which I cochair with my colleague, Senator Akaka, particularly 
celebrates the soldiers of the U.S. Army as they answer the Nation's 
call to duty.
  These brave men and women are giving something back to their country 
every day through the sacrifices they and their families make. Mr. 
President, 230 years ago, the Army was established to defend our 
Nation. Today, its mission remains the same as throughout the Army's 
history. America's soldiers have always answered the call to end 
tyranny, free the oppressed, and light the path to democracy.
  As citizens and lawmakers, we appreciate our freedoms and our 
inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But 
we know our freedoms are not free and should not be taken for granted. 
The men and women of the Army and the other branches of

[[Page 12339]]

the Armed Forces shoulder the load of being on freedom's frontier, 
defending our very way of life.
  On this day, it would be easy for us as citizens of this great Nation 
to take for granted our God-given rights. In our daily routines, we all 
too often overlook the selfless commitment the American soldier is 
making to protect our national interests and freedoms around the globe 
in over 120 countries. Each mission is contributing to our safety and 
well-being here at home. For this reason, we should remember that June 
14 is the day the U.S. Army was established and celebrates its 
birthday.
  The men and women serving in the U.S. Army embody the ideals set 
forth in the Soldier's Creed and Warrior Ethos. They have the 
unwavering belief that they will be victorious in whatever they do. 
This belief stems from knowing that the American people support them, 
and from the confidence they have in their leaders at every level. They 
are well equipped and well led, and they will perform their sacred 
duty. Just listen to these words our soldiers live by every day:

       I will always place the mission first.
       I will never accept defeat.
       I will never quit.
       I will never leave a fallen comrade.

  It is kind of interesting. Many years ago, I served in the U.S. Army. 
It is the same thing we said at that time. We have been living those 
words not just since the time I was in the Army but for 230 years. Both 
Senator Akaka and I, the cochairmen of the Senate Army Caucus, were 
soldiers in the U.S. Army. The principles we learned then--the timeless 
principles of discipline, pride, integrity, honor, and sacrifice--have 
helped guide us throughout our lives. They still characterize the Army 
today.
  So on behalf of Senator Akaka and the rest of the Senate Army Caucus, 
I wish the U.S. Army a happy 230th birthday.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the birthday of 
the United States Army. The Army celebrates 230 years of service to our 
great Nation on June 14. On this momentous occasion, I ask that we all 
pause to pay tribute to the fine men and women of the Army who have 
served both around the world and at home during the U.S. Army's 
distinguished history. During the history of the U.S. Army, the 
battlefield location has changed and the warfighting technology has 
changed, but the spirit of the men and women of the U.S. Army has 
remained as consistent as the cause that they fight for--to protect, 
defend, and promote freedom at home and abroad. The selfless service 
given by each and every member of the U.S. Army is an inspiration to us 
all.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, 230 years ago on, June 14, 1775, our 
Founding Fathers formed the United States Army. The Continental Army 
emerged in the midst of a war for liberty and freedom.
  Today, America's Army, serving worldwide in a global war on terror, 
is once again deeply engaged in fighting tyranny and ensuring the light 
of liberty shines around the world. It too is transforming just as it 
did in 1775.
  The Nation stands united on the 230th birthday of the U.S. Army 
supporting our soldiers deployed around the globe. Each and every one a 
volunteer, who left behind the comforts of home to serve their fellow 
citizens and the Nation. Their courage, compassion, and selfless 
devotion to duty stand as clear examples to all of us and to nations 
the world over.
  The American soldier has always been the centerpiece of the Nation's 
defense. Today, the focus remains as it always has: every soldier is a 
link to those past heroes. Moreover, our modern warfighters remain the 
preeminent land combat force in the world.
  From Bunker Hill to New Orleans, from Gettysburg to the Marne, from 
North Africa and the beaches of Normandy to Inchon and the Ia Drang, 
from Desert Storm to Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, the 
American soldier: brave, professional and determined has taken the 
field of battle in defense of those who hunger for freedom.
  In light of the new threats of this century, the U.S. Army is 
transforming itself once again to remain on the leading edge of 
warfighting technology and combat skill. The change from musket to 
rifle, from horse to motorized vehicle, from aircraft to missiles has 
in the past 230 years demonstrated the resolve of our Army and its 
leaders to adapt in the face of change. New units of action, enhanced 
global mobility, infusion of precision weapons, and the responsiveness 
found in Army UAVs along with real-time sharing of intelligence and 
information are the hallmarks of the U.S. Army today. What will never 
change is the courage, determination, and professionalism of the 
ultimate weapon in the Nation's arsenal: the American soldier.
  No tribute to our men and women in uniform, whether they are from 
Alabama or elsewhere, would be complete without mentioning their 
families. America salutes our military families and the silent burden 
they bear when their loved ones: husbands and wives, fathers and 
mothers or sons and daughters are called away to distant shores to 
defend this great Nation and our way of life. The love and support our 
soldier's families provide gives each soldier the comfort and respite 
from the danger and long hours spent away.
  As Americans, completing life's daily tasks, we should be ever 
mindful that the peace and freedom we enjoy in this great Nation were 
secured time and time again by the valor of countless soldiers serving 
around the globe over the past 230 years.
  From forward positions in Korea to the streets of Baghdad to the 
mountains of Afghanistan soldiers stand ready at their posts. They 
continue to guarantee the peace that has been handed down from 
generation to generation of Americans. We should be proud and humbled 
by the standards set and the sacrifices borne by these Americans.
  Happy 230th Birthday United States Army. May your successes be many 
and your burdens light. General Patton once said, ``Wars may be fought 
with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of men who 
follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory.'' So it was in 
Patton's time, so it is today. Ours is the greatest Army ever fielded 
because of the men and women who wear its uniform make it so.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The minority leader is recognized.

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