[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Pages 11184-11186]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               CELEBRATING THE 231ST BIRTHDAY OF THE ARMY

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 512, which was submitted 
early today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 512) celebrating the 231st birthday 
     of the Army and commending the men and women of the Army as 
     exceptional individuals who live by the values of loyalty, 
     duty, and selfless service.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to our U.S. 
Army. On June 14, 1775, our Founding Fathers formed the U.S. Army out 
of a desire to defend their liberties. The Continental Army that 
emerged in the midst of our war for independence laid a foundation for 
patriotism, tenacity and courage that remains at the care of the Army 
of today. Since that time, American Soldiers have fought in more than 
10 wars, from the American Revolution to the global war on terror. This 
231st birthday serves as a reminder that today's Army continues to 
stand as the guardian of our nation's freedom. Today, we salute the 
brave men and women who call the Army home, and those soldiers that 
have served and died before them, in a celebration of their ``Call to 
Duty.''

[[Page 11185]]

  The American soldier has always been the centerpiece of the Nation's 
defense. Coupled with the desires to maintain our democracy and 
freedom, these soldiers continue to march to the sound of the guns by 
putting ``boots on the ground'' in more than 120 countries around the 
world today. From Valley Forge to New Orleans, from Gettysburg to the 
Marne, from Sicily and the beaches of Normandy to Inchon and the Ia 
Drang Valley, from Kuwait to Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi 
Freedom, the American Soldier: brave, professional and determined, has 
not faltered in his duty and stands ready to answer the next call.
  Since 1775, millions of men and women, from all backgrounds and parts 
of our Nation, have raised their right hands and taken an oath to 
support and defend our Constitution. Today's 231st birthday reminds us 
that these soldiers are the backbone of our society. Living each day by 
the ``Warrior Ethos,'' these men and women personify the Army values of 
loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal 
courage.
  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 unspoken burden 
they bear when their husbands and wives, fathers and mothers or sons 
and daughters are called away to steamy jungles or unforgiving deserts 
to defend this great nation and our way of life. The love and support 
our soldier's families provide through their support and strength. We 
remember also their sacrifices and the long days they spend apart.
  To those currently serving, our thoughts and prayers are with you and 
your families on this 231st Army birthday. Humbled by your sacrifice 
and awed by your achievements, we continue to find comfort in knowing 
you are an eminent presence: resolute in standing watch over our 
democracy and freedoms. Celebrate this Army birthday and continue to 
live to a higher standard through the Army values and the Warrior 
Ethos.
  Our celebration of the 231st Army birthday reminds us all of the 
sacrifice so many have made in the preservation of our Nation. These 
words are but a small token of the appreciation and thanks that are 
owed for the dedication to duty and sacrifice these brave men and women 
make on a daily basis. These soldiers deserve our gratitude, our praise 
and most importantly our continued support as they continue to drive on 
with the mission. Happy Birthday to our Army.
  Mr. AKAKA. Mr President, I rise today in honor of the Army's 231st 
birthday. For over two centuries, the Army has served this Nation with 
honesty, courage, and dignity, and it is my privilege to take this 
opportunity to commemorate its birth. Both in times of peace, and in 
times of war, the U.S. Army has been poised and ready to answer the 
call of duty to defend our Nation. All of our Army units--Active, Guard 
and Reserve--share the heritage of the first Continental Army which 
fought so valiantly for the principles of justice, freedom and 
democracy. The commitment and duty of the Army soldiers who have risked 
their lives to preserve our freedom have left an indelible mark on this 
nation. During the Army's 231 year history, tens of thousands of these 
brave men and women have sacrificed their lives on distant battlefields 
to keep our nation safe. I salute them for their service to this 
country.
  I also pay tribute to the families of those soldiers who risk their 
lives for our Nation. Too often the important role that families play 
goes unacknowledged but their faith and devotion are vital to the 
Army's success. The families of our soldiers have my deepest 
appreciation for the sacrifices they make and for the support the give 
our troops.
  As this Nation continues to fight in the global war on terror, the 
Army has been key to providing the Joint force the capabilities it 
needs to persist in its struggle for liberty and democracy. Through the 
efforts of the U.S. Army the world has been made a more secure, 
prosperous, and better place for all of mankind. As I witnessed, 
firsthand, during my recent trip to Iraq, the men and women serving in 
the Army who so courageously defend our Nation represent the best of 
what our country has to offer and have my deepest respect. Thank you 
for your selfless service. It is an inspiration to us all.
  Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise today to wish the U.S. Army happy 
birthday. It was 231 years ago today, June 14, 1775, that the 
Continental Army of the United States was formed.
  Over the past 231 years, millions of men and women have served in the 
oldest branch of our Armed Forces. Their honor, courage, sacrifice and 
service are the foundation of America's greatness.
  The Army principles of ``Duty, Honor, Country'' 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. The United States 
Army has shaped lives just as it has shaped our history.
  The U.S. Army has protected our democracy and helped make the world 
more secure, peaceful, and prosperous.
  On this 231st birthday of the U.S. Army, we also recognize and thank 
the individuals who have sacrificed and served our country. They 
inspire us and will continue to serve as role models for future 
generations.
  ``Happy Birthday'' to the U.S. Army. And, in the Army's great rich 
tradition and as a proud Army veteran, I proclaim my annual Senate 
floor ``HOOAH!''
  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 512) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 512

       Whereas, from the first Continental Army under General 
     Washington to the beaches of Normandy and the city streets of 
     Iraq, the Army has protected the flame of democracy;
       Whereas the citizens of the United States continue to enjoy 
     freedom and spread the light of democracy because the men and 
     women of the Army have stood through adversity, remained 
     steadfast in the most difficult of circumstances, and bravely 
     fought against the enemies of peace throughout the world;
       Whereas the sacrifices of those men and women of the Army 
     have called all citizens of the United States, both public 
     and private, to the highest forms of citizenship;
       Whereas the Army maintains its presence in 120 countries 
     across the world, including Saudi Arabia, Korea, and Kosovo;
       Whereas the accomplishments of the Army in the Global War 
     on Terror have demonstrated the courage and strength of the 
     men and women of the Army;
       Whereas, in Iraq, the Army has brought freedom to a 
     population once under tyrannical control, allowing the 
     citizens of Iraq to enjoy the recent election of officials, 
     the formation of a constitution, and the formation of the 
     government under Prime Minister al-Maliki;
       Whereas the men and women of the Army continued to provide 
     stability and security to Iraqis by killing Abu Musab al-
     Zarqawi, who was commonly known among terrorists as the 
     ``prince of al-Qaeda'';
       Whereas Iraq has become a better place and a great ally, 
     which was evident when the ambassador of Iraq presented his 
     credentials to the Secretary of State for the first time in 
     15 years; and
       Whereas those great accomplishments add to the longstanding 
     tradition of the Army and attest to the extraordinary 
     capability of the men and women who serve the United States: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) salutes the men and women of the Army;
       (2) commends the men and women of the Army as exceptional 
     individuals who live by the values of loyalty, duty, and 
     selfless service; and
       (3) recognizes that those great citizens--
       (A) are the reason why the Army continues to stand as the 
     best military force in the world; and
       (B) continue to perform amazing tasks and uphold the 
     honored traditions of the Army by adhering to the principle 
     expressed by General Douglas MacArthur when he proudly 
     declared that ``Americans never quit.''.

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, today, the significance of this resolution 
is

[[Page 11186]]

something that needs the attention of this body. We are today honoring 
the 231st birthday of the U.S. Army.
  Throughout the centuries, the noble service of Army soldiers has 
defended this great Nation. From the first Continental Army under GEN 
George Washington, to the beaches of Normandy, to the city streets of 
Baghdad, America's Army has protected the flame of freedom. Their 
sacrifice calls us all--both public and private--to the highest 
standard of citizenship. We enjoy our freedoms because they have been 
steadfast through the most difficult of circumstances and continue to 
spread the light of democracy to the darkest corners of the world. We 
stand here today because they continue to willingly put their lives in 
harm's way.
  The Army's history is one of success. During the Mexican-American War 
our country expanded westward to the Pacific and south to Texas. The 
Philippine and Spanish-American Wars demonstrated the Army's courage 
against strong insurgent forces and created the vital posts that exist 
today in Southeast Asia. The Army continued to fight bravely in World 
War I and World War II to defeat the Central powers and the Axis in 
Europe and the Pacific. With the rise of Communism, the Army once again 
answered freedom's call in Korea and Vietnam.
  Today, these courageous soldiers continue the great tradition by 
serving across the world in the war on terrorism. While the Army 
maintains a presence in 120 countries across the world in countries 
such as Djibouti, Korea, and Kosovo, the vast majority of our efforts 
have been focused in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  I just returned from my 11th trip to the Iraqi AOR. While I was over 
there I observed firsthand the progress being made by our troops. The 
Army has taken the bulk of the responsibility, and much of what we have 
accomplished we owe to their outstanding service.
  The Army has brought freedom to a population once under tyrannical 
control. Freedom shines through the recent election of officials, the 
formation of a constitution, and formation of the first permanent 
government under Prime Minister al-Maliki. Recently, the first Iraqi 
Ambassador in 15 years presented his credentials to the Secretary of 
State. We have taken out the ``prince of al-Qaida,'' al-Zarqawi. These 
great successes add to the longstanding tradition of our military.
  Having just returned from that area, and having been there 11 times, 
and having talked to our U.S. Army soldiers, as well as with the other 
services, it is incredible that they are so much like they were in the 
past. I recall when I was first drafted into the U.S. Army. It was so 
long ago that I was drafted with Elvis Presley. And he had a little 
better duty than I did. Nonetheless, you learn something when you 
become an active member of the U.S. Army. You learn a type of 
discipline and a type of tradition, and that tradition stays with you 
all the rest of your life.
  It was not long ago that my fellow Army veteran, Senator Danny Akaka, 
and I formed the Army Caucus to bring attention to the work of the Army 
in the past, the present, and in the future.
  To let you know how things change, I can remember only 12 years ago, 
when I was serving in the other body, in the House Armed Services 
Committee, someone testified at that time that in 10 years we would no 
longer need ground troops. To let you know some of the problems we 
have--and the fact is, yes, there are a lot of smart people around--but 
nobody knows what contingencies we will have to be facing in the 
future. And I can assure you, as we proceed into the future, as we 
modernize our equipment, it will be in use again, and the U.S. Army 
will come through, as they always have since the days of George 
Washington.
  As the Army continues to fight for freedom today and peace tomorrow, 
I salute each Army soldier for their sacrifice, dedication, and 
perseverance in protecting America. These soldiers are exceptional 
individuals who live by the values of loyalty, duty, and selfless 
service. It is in this spirit that the Army continues to uphold its 
highest values and take its rich tradition into the next 231 years.
  May God bless the United States Army.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  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. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________