[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 4695-4698]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF A NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR DAY

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 47) supporting the goals and 
ideals of a National Medal of Honor Day to celebrate and honor the 
recipients of the Medal of Honor.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 47

       Whereas the Medal of Honor is the highest award that can be 
     bestowed to a member of the Armed Forces for valor in action 
     against an enemy force;
       Whereas the Medal of Honor is awarded by the President, in 
     the name of the Congress, to members of the Armed Forces who 
     have distinguished themselves conspicuously by gallantry and 
     intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the 
     call of duty;
       Whereas the United States will forever be in debt to the 
     recipients of the Medal of Honor for their bravery and 
     sacrifice in times of war or other armed conflict;
       Whereas the Medal of Honor was first awarded on March 25, 
     1863, during the Civil War;
       Whereas, of the millions of men and women who have served 
     in the Armed Forces in war, military operations, or other 
     armed conflicts, only 3,443 members have thus far been 
     awarded the Medal of Honor;
       Whereas 111 Medal of Honor recipients are still living as 
     of January 1, 2007;
       Whereas it is appropriate to commemorate and honor the 
     recipients of the Medal of Honor and to recognize their 
     bravery and sacrifice for the United States;
       Whereas the designation of a National Medal of Honor Day 
     would raise the awareness of the American people regarding 
     the significance and meaning of the Medal of Honor and help 
     focus the efforts of national, State, and local organizations 
     striving to foster public appreciation and recognition of 
     Medal of Honor recipients; and
       Whereas March 25 would be an appropriate date to observe 
     National Medal of Honor Day: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),  That Congress--
       (1) recognizes the heroism and sacrifice of Medal of Honor 
     recipients for the United States;
       (2) recognizes the educational opportunity that a National 
     Medal of Honor Day would present to the American public; and
       (3) supports the goals and ideals of a National Medal of 
     Honor Day to celebrate and honor the contributions of Medal 
     of Honor recipients.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Skelton) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Jones) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             general leave

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the resolution now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Today I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 47, which I 
introduced to recognize the extraordinary heroism and sacrifice of the 
Nation's Medal of Honor recipients and to increase America's awareness 
of the significance and meaning of the Medal of Honor among our 
American citizens.
  I want to thank my colleague on the House Armed Services Committee, 
the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) for being here in support 
of this issue this afternoon.
  The Congressional Medal of Honor is our Nation's highest military 
award for valor in action against an enemy that can be bestowed on any 
member of the Armed Forces.
  Since the medal was created in 1861, more than 3,400 individuals who 
have served our Nation in uniform have been awarded the Medal of Honor.
  The first medal was established by the United States Navy to 
recognize sailors and marines who distinguish themselves in war. 
President Abraham Lincoln signed Public Resolution 82 into law, and 
thus the first medal of valor was created. The Army shortly followed in 
1862 by establishing a Medal of Honor to recognize commissioned 
officers and privates who distinguished themselves by their gallantry 
in action. The Medal of Honor became a permanent decoration in 1863. 
The first award was given to Army Assistant Surgeon Bernard J.D. Irwin 
for his bravery in rescuing 60 soldiers at Apache Pass, Arizona, in 
1861.
  It is very interesting, Mr. Speaker, that a Medal of Honor was 
awarded a

[[Page 4696]]

Union soldier years after the 1861 Battle of Lexington, Missouri, my 
hometown, for his gallantry in helping to retake the Anderson House, 
which was the hospital at the time of that battle, September 18, 19 and 
20, 1861. His name was Palmer.
  The current conflict in Iraq sadly has posthumously added two heroic 
and courageous individuals to the rolls, Sergeant First Class Paul 
Smith of the United States Army, and Corporal Jason Dunham of the 
United States Marines. These two individuals continue to epitomize the 
recipients of the Medal of Honor, whose uncommon valor and 
extraordinary bravery are standard characteristics.

                              {time}  1415

  It is interesting to note also, Mr. Speaker, that in the history of 
the medal, 19 men received a second award. 14 of them received two 
separate medals for separate actions, and one was awarded to a woman. 
Of the more than 3,400 medals awarded, 266 of those were awarded for 
action during World War II, and 154 were awarded for action during the 
Vietnam conflict. Today there are only 111 living recipients of the 
Medal of Honor. America is rapidly losing its greatest and true heroes.
  It is also important to note that when Missouri's President, Harry 
Truman, awarded the Medal of Honor to a soldier at the end of the 
Second World War, he said he would rather have this medal than being 
president.
  The resolution before the House seeks to recognize the heroism and 
sacrifice of the Nation's Medal of Honor recipients, and to urge the 
establishment of a National Medal of Honor Day to ensure that all 
Americans continue to celebrate and to honor the contributions and 
ideals that the Medal of Honor recipients exemplify.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Skelton for giving me this 
great privilege of honoring these fine Americans.
  Today we join together in support of H. Con. Res. 47, as the United 
States House of Representatives, to honor what is arguably the most 
select group of Americans to ever wear the uniform of this great 
Nation.
  The Medal of Honor is this Nation's highest award bestowed on a 
member of the United States Armed Services who distinguishes himself or 
herself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his 
life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action 
against an enemy of the United States.
  The Medal of Honor confers special privileges on its recipients, both 
by tradition and by law.
  By tradition, all other soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen, even 
higher ranking officers up to the President of the United States, 
initiate the salute of the Medal of Honor and its recipient.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to discuss briefly the history of the Medal 
of Honor. The first award of the Medal of Honor was made March 25 of 
1863 to Private Jacob Parrott and five others. Since then, there have 
been 3,463 Medals of Honor awarded for 3,456 separate acts of heroism 
performed by 3,443 individuals, including nine unknowns.
  Today there are 112 living recipients of the Medal of Honor, out of a 
population of more than 301 million Americans. Forty-six percent of the 
living earned their medals more than 50 years ago while serving in 
World War II, 36, or Korea, 15. There are 61 living who performed 
actions in Vietnam. The youngest recipient is Gordon R. Roberts, age 
56. He was born June 14, 1950. He was 19 years old when he earned this 
high honor.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield to Dr. Burgess, the 
gentleman from Texas, for 4 minutes.
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I 
thank the chairman, the gentleman from Missouri, for bringing this 
concurrent resolution to the floor.
  This is a resolution that honors the bravest of the brave, the men 
and women who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, who have 
risked their lives in fighting for our Nation, indeed, fighting for our 
basic freedom.
  Today's resolution pays homage to the basic principles of our 
military, duty, honor, country. The Medal of Honor recognizes and is 
emblematic of great courage, selflessness and sacrifice.
  It is with great pride that I stand here on the floor of Congress 
today, as Congress is recognizing these extraordinary members of our 
Armed Services by establishing March 25 as the National Medal of Honor 
Day. This national day of observance and remembrance is long overdue, 
and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution, to vote 
in favor of our Armed Forces.
  While a National Medal of Honor Day is a wonderful way to honor these 
great citizens, I would be remiss if I did not also mention another 
great endeavor that seeks to honor Medal of Honor recipients. The city 
of Gainesville, Texas established the Medal of Honor Host City Program 
in 2001 with this simple mission statement: It shall be the privilege 
and the responsibility of the city of Gainesville, Texas, to welcome 
our Nation's Medal of Honor recipients at every available opportunity. 
The Local Veterans of Foreign Wars, post number 1922, along with the 
community volunteers and community members, welcome all Medal of Honor 
recipients with open arms and provides a stipend to cover lodging, food 
and fuel expenses during their visit.
  The recipients are invited to attend schools, clubs and local 
organizations, thereby imparting their own views of patriotism and duty 
throughout the community. It is truly a remarkable program, and the 
true beauty of it is that other cities can establish their own Medal of 
Honor Host City program to further honor and recognize those heroic 
recipients.
  Mr. Speaker, to take a line from the Gainesville, Texas mission 
statement, I feel that it is Congress's privilege and Congress's 
responsibility to honor the Medal of Honor recipients at every 
opportunity. With this resolution, and with programs like the Medal of 
Honor Host City Program, we take a step in fulfilling that most noble 
and honorable of all missions.
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, since I have been in Congress, America has presented 
this award on behalf of an extremely grateful Nation a total of 22 
times, 13 of which were presented posthumously.
  Some recent heroes include Tibor ``Ted'' Rubin for actions in Korea, 
between 1950 and 1953. He received the award on September 23, 2005.
  Before that, the medal was awarded posthumously to the family of SFC 
Paul R. Smith on April 4 of 2005. For his actions in Iraq in 2003, 
bravely holding the enemy at bay so that the wounded could be safely 
carried out.
  Before that, the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously to Army MSG 
Gary I. Gordon and SFC Randall D. Shughart for action in Somalia in 
1993.
  Most recently, Cpl Jason Dunham, U.S. Marine Corps, was posthumously 
recognized with the Medal of Honor on Thursday, January 11, 2007 for 
sacrificing his life for his fellow Marines. Corporal Dunham bravely 
fought hand-to-hand with the enemy and selflessly hurled himself on a 
live grenade to protect fellow Marines.
  Just yesterday, President Bush awarded LTC Bruce P. Crandall the 
Medal of Honor in a White House ceremony. It was just this morning when 
several members of the DAV, Disabled American Veterans from my 
district, stated very simply, after meeting Colonel Crandall, and they 
said this was his comment when they said congratulations; thank you for 
what you did for our Nation. His comment was this, he just did what his 
country asked him to do. He was a volunteer.
  Throughout the history, there have been 19 double recipients who have 
twice received this high honor.
  Mr. Speaker, as this resolution so clearly states, the designation of 
a National Medal of Honor Day will raise the awareness of the American 
people regarding the significance and the meaning of the Medal of 
Honor, and

[[Page 4697]]

help focus the effort on our national, State and local organizations 
striving to foster public appreciation and recognition of Medal of 
Honor recipients.
  Mr. Speaker, the Medal of Honor has touched the lives, directly or 
indirectly, of millions of Americans, but there are many more firsts or 
lone recipients of this award. For example:
  Douglas Munro was the only Coast Guard recipient. He was awarded the 
Medal of Honor for his actions at Point Cruz, Guadalcanal, on September 
27 of 1942.
  Mary Walker was the only woman awarded the Congressional Medal of 
Honor at Bull Run on July 21 of 1861.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, there are four Medal of Honor recipients 
currently living in the State of North Carolina. Throughout its 
history, there have been 19 Medal of Honor recipients from my great 
state of North Carolina.
  Before I close, I would like to take just a couple of minutes, Mr. 
Speaker. There are many who have won this award, Medal of Honor, who 
are the heroes of this great Nation. One I would like to bring to mind 
is a friend of mine whose name is Walter Joseph Marm, Jr.
  I will not read the entire citation. I just want to read part of it 
before I close.
  Joe Marm, First Lieutenant, Army Company A, First Battalion, 7th 
Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Place: Vicinity of la Drang 
Valley, Republic of Vietnam, 14 November 1965. Entered service at 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Born 20 November 1941.
  And I want to read just two or three paragraphs from the citation, 
Mr. Speaker, as he received the Medal of Honor.
  Realizing that his platoon could not hold very long, and seeing four 
enemy soldiers moving into his position, he moved quickly under heavy 
fire and annihilated all four.
  Quickly, disregarding the intense fire directed at him and his 
platoon, he charged 30 meters across open ground and hurled grenades 
into the enemy position, killing some of the eight insurgents manning 
it.
  Although severely wounded, when his grenades were expended, armed 
with only a rifle, he continued the momentum of his assault on the 
position and killed the remainder of the enemy.
  Lieutenant Marm's selfless action reduced the fire on his platoon, 
broke the enemy assault, and rallied his unit to continue toward the 
accomplishments of this mission.
  Lieutenant Marm's gallantry on the battlefield and his extraordinary 
risk of his life are in the highest traditions of U.S. Army and reflect 
great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of this country.
  With that, I thank the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) for this 
privilege to be part of this debate.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that we are able to bring this 
resolution to the floor. It is highly important that we recognize those 
very special individuals who received the Medal of Honor and will bear 
the recognition throughout their lives, as well as their family 
receiving recognition should they be awarded posthumously.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. 
Res. 47, supporting the goals and ideals of a National Medal of Honor 
Day to celebrate and honor the recipients of the Medal of Honor. The 
Medal of Honor is the highest award that can be bestowed on a member of 
the Armed Fores for his or her valiant acts of bravery while engaged in 
combat against an enemy of the United States.
  The Medal of Honor is awarded by the President, in the name of the 
Congress, to members of the Armed Forces who have distinguished 
themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity and risked their 
lives above and beyond the call of duty. The first Medal of Honor was 
awarded on March 25, 1863 during our country's Civil War to PVT Jacob 
Parrott during the American Civil War for his role in Andrews Raid. He 
was the first of only 3,443 members in war, military operations and 
other armed conflicts of our Armed Forces who have received this great 
honor.
  There are 111 Medal of Honor recipients still living and serving our 
country in their own capacity and I, as well as the entire Nation, will 
forever be indebted to all recipients of this award for their valor 
during armed conflict.
  It is appropriate and necessary to commemorate and honor the 
recipients of the Medal of Honor and to recognize their valiant 
sacrifices for our country. That is why I support the designation of a 
National Medal of Honor Day which would heighten the understanding and 
appreciation of the American people regarding the significance and 
meaning of the Medal of Honor.
  It is essential that our Nation celebrate and salute those members of 
the Armed Forces who have risked their lives to ensure our safety and 
the safety of our country. Designating this day will also help to focus 
the efforts of national, State, and local organizations striving to 
foster public appreciation and recognition of Medal of Honor 
recipients.
  I sincerely appreciate the sacrifices the members of our Armed Forces 
make each and every day on behalf of our country. I support the 
designation of March 25 as National Medal of Honor Day in honor of all 
those members of the Armed Forces who performed valiant acts of bravery 
during combat against an enemy of the United States.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 47--a 
resolution establishing a national day of remembrance, reflection, and 
celebration for those citizens who so valiantly defended our Nation and 
protected their fellow servicemembers through extraordinary feats of 
courage and achievement--recipients of the Congressional Medal of 
Honor.
  I extend a thank you to my colleagues from the House Armed Services 
Committee for leading the effort to commemorate the recipients of our 
Nation's highest military honor. As a Nation, we can never forget the 
sacrifices these men and women have made to keep America free.
  The first Medal of Honor was awarded on March 25, 1864. As we 
approach this anniversary, let us reflect on the lives and deeds of 
those brave soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who have received 
this honor throughout our Nation's history.
  In 1782, General George Washington started the tradition of 
recognizing the valiant actions of American soldiers by establishing 
what became known as the Badge of Military Merit. Washington presented 
a heart of purple cloth to three of his soldiers in August of that 
year, an act that was largely lost in history as the Revolutionary War 
came to a close. This honor was the predecessor to what we now know as 
the Purple Heart.
  Though the Badge of Military Merit faded into the past, the idea of 
awarding a decoration to recognize the gallant efforts of our soldiers 
never died. In 1847, not long after the outbreak of the Mexican-
American War, a ``certificate of merit'' was established to recognize 
troops who distinguished themselves in battle. No medal accompanied the 
certificate and the award was again discontinued at the end of that 
conflict.
  During the Civil War another proposal arose to establish a medal, but 
the idea was rejected by then General-In-Chief of the Army Winifield 
Scott. The Navy, however, adopted this concept, and in December 1861, 
President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation that established a Navy 
medal for valor. Not to be outdone by their friendly rival, the Army 
quickly followed suit with their own resolution to establish a similar 
award, signed into law in July 1862.
  In 1863, Congress established the Medal of Honor as a permanent means 
to recognize our Nation's most gallant warriors. Since then, it has 
been awarded to almost 3,400 of our Nation's bravest citizens.
  Today, the number of living Medal of Honor recipients is at its 
lowest point in history--there remain only 111 as of February 1. This 
resolution is a lasting tribute to those 111 men and women, the 
recipients who are no longer with us, and to those to come in the 
future who stood up and answered the call to protect and defend this 
land.
  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 47, 
observing National Medal of Honor Day and honoring the sacrifices of 
Medal of Honor recipients and their contributions to our Nation. March 
25th is an appropriate day to recognize these individuals, since the 
first Medal of Honor was awarded on March 25, 1863.
  This resolution not only salutes the bravery of Medal of Honor 
recipients, but also gives the American public the opportunity to learn 
about the history of this prestigious military distinction and the 
uncommon acts of courage that made recipients real-life heros.
  Previous honorees include several EI Pasoans. Staff Sergeant Ambrosio 
Guillen was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for going above and 
beyond the call of duty during the Korean War. Sergeant Guillen 
sacrificed his life in order to thwart an enemy attack, saving the 
lives of the men in his platoon. He was laid to rest at Fort Bliss 
National Cemetery.

[[Page 4698]]

  Colonel Joseph C. Rodriguez was also awarded the Medal of Honor for 
his courageous actions in the Korean War. While facing a barrage of 
hostile fire and improbable odds, Colonel Rodriguez secured a strategic 
stronghold by killing 15 enemy soldiers occupying well-fortified 
positions. He later moved to EI Paso following his retirement from the 
Army and served as Facilities Director at the University of Texas at EI 
Paso for over 10 years.
  Most recently, on April 4, 2005, Army Sergeant First Class Paul Ray 
Smith was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his 
``extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor'' while repelling an enemy 
attack on a prisoner of war holding area during Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. Sergeant Smith quickly organized two Army platoons to defend 
their position. In the face of enemy fire, Smith manned a .50 caliber 
machine gun mounted on a damaged armored vehicle. Although exposed to 
enemy gunfire, Sergeant Smith maintained his position. His heroism 
resulted in the death of over 50 enemy soldiers before Sergeant Smith 
was mortally wounded during this courageous act.
  As a Vietnam veteran, I recognize the importance of honoring these 
selfless acts of courage. In order to preserve their legacy and costly 
sacrifices, I proudly stand in support of our Medal of Honor 
recipients.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 47.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

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