[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 14818-14820]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF THE 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1080) honoring the extraordinary service and 
exceptional sacrifice of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 
known as the Screaming Eagles, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1080

       Whereas the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), or the 
     Screaming Eagles, headquartered in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, 
     has faithfully answered America's call for service since its 
     formation on August 15, 1942;
       Whereas the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) defense 
     of Bastogue during World War II is regarded as one of the 
     great achievements in United States military history;
       Whereas the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) is the 
     only air assault division in the world;
       Whereas the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) has since 
     deployed tens of thousands of young men and women to Iraq and 
     Afghanistan no less than three times in support of the Global 
     War on Terrorism, performing counter-insurgency operations, 
     securing liberty for such nations to deny safe-haven to 
     terrorists, and helping build a better future for such 
     nations;
       Whereas over 6,000 Screaming Eagles have made the ultimate 
     sacrifice and countless others have been injured in multiple 
     operations since inception; and
       Whereas the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) has 
     recognized its ``rendezvous with destiny,'' serving the 
     Nation in five wars, with 19 of its members having been 
     awarded the Medal of Honor: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 
     also known as the Screaming Eagles, as one of the great 
     Divisions in American military history;
       (2) recognizes that America owes a tremendous debt to the 
     101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) for the extraordinary 
     service, sacrifice, and patriotism of the soldiers of the 
     Division and their families; and
       (3) acknowledges that the contributions of the 101st 
     Airborne Division (Air Assault) to ensure the continued 
     safety and security of this nation will not go unnoticed.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Connecticut (Mr. Courtney) and the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Rogers) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Connecticut.


                             General Leave

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Connecticut?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1080, 
honoring the extraordinary service and exceptional sacrifice of the 
101st Airborne Division, more commonly known as the Screaming Eagles.
  On August 16, 1942, the day the 101st Airborne Division was 
activated, Major

[[Page 14819]]

General William C. Lee observed that ``The 101st has no history, but it 
has a rendezvous with destiny.'' Since that day over 60 years ago, the 
101st Airborne Division has distinguished itself time and again.
  Currently headquartered at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the 101st 
Airborne Division has faithfully answered America's call to service and 
has a distinguished history as the only air assault division in the 
world. The division cleared the way for the 1st and 4th Infantry 
Divisions at Omaha and Utah Beach on D-day in Normandy.
  One of the most notable of the Screaming Eagles' achievements was the 
defense of Bastogne, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge, where the 
division was surrounded by advancing enemy forces who demanded their 
immediate surrender. Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe led the 101st 
through the siege, which was broken on December 26, 1944.
  The division again proved its laudable skill and courage fighting 
bitter battles in Vietnam. The 101st established an extraordinary 
helicopter force of troops trained and ready for combat in Vietnam. 
Dense jungle and uneven terrain made the use of helicopters highly 
desirable for maneuverability and aided in the Tet Offensive.
  The 101st Airborne Division (Air Mobile) was designated the 101st 
Airborne Division (Air Assault) in October 1974. The Screaming Eagles 
continued their rendezvous with destiny by faithfully completing combat 
missions in the Middle East, and humanitarian and peacekeeping missions 
in Rwanda, Somalia, Haiti, and in Bosnia. During the 1990 invasion of 
Kuwait, the division conducted the largest air assault in history.
  Today, the 101st continues their history of exemplary combat service 
to our Nation in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thousands of men and women 
proudly wear the patch of the Screaming Eagle on their right shoulder 
as they deploy to defend the liberties that we enjoy here in the United 
States. Today, we recognize the Screaming Eagles and the hundreds of 
thousands of their brethren in uniform who volunteer to defend our 
Nation each and every day.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution 
honoring the extraordinary service and exceptional sacrifice of all 
those who have served and are serving in the 101st Airborne Division 
known as the Screaming Eagles.
  For more than 65 years, since its formation in 1942, the division has 
established a record of bravery, commitment, military prowess and 
excellence that marks it as one of the great military units in American 
history.
  When activated, the division's first commander told his men that, 
while the division had no history, it had a ``rendezvous with 
destiny.'' And through five wars, the soldiers of that division have 
never failed that vision.
  In World War II, from Normandy to Holland to Bastogne, and Hitler's 
Eagle's Nest, the division fought with great distinction. More than 
2,000 of its members died defending freedom. Deployed to Vietnam for 7 
years, the division never failed to accomplish any mission.
  Though few of its battles became household names, the division's 
4,000 deaths and 17 Medals of Honor are evidence of the unhesitating 
courage and sacrifice the division has made in Southeast Asia.
  Today, tens of thousands of the 101st soldiers have deployed to Iraq 
and Afghanistan, helping to secure liberty for those nations, denying a 
safe haven to terrorists, and helping to protect America's interests.
  So, Mr. Speaker, it is entirely fitting that we honor the 101st 
Airborne Division as one of the great American military units. More 
importantly, we must recognize and honor the tremendous debt that we 
owe to all who have served so well in this storied and historic 
division.
  I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Whitfield, for introducing this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to my friend and colleague from Kentucky, Mr. Ed Whitfield.
  Mr. WHITFIELD of Kentucky. I certainly want to thank the gentleman 
from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney) and the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. 
Rogers) as well as Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member Hunter for 
bringing this resolution to the floor today.
  As has been said, Fort Campbell, Kentucky is the home of the 101st 
Airborne Division known as the Screaming Eagles, which is the only air 
assault division in the world. It has been my distinct privilege and 
pleasure to represent the First Congressional District of Kentucky, 
which is the home of this great unit.
  I would also like to say that, while this resolution focuses 
explicitly on the 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell is also the 
home of the 160th Special Aviation Regiment, the Fifth Special Forces 
Group, the 86th Combat Support Hospital, and we have many young men and 
women also serving at the Blanchfield Army Hospital as well as the 
Garrison Command at Fort Campbell.
  I was delighted that the gentleman from Connecticut and the gentleman 
from Alabama talked briefly about the history of this great 101st 
Airborne Division. I might say that, throughout its history, 19 
individuals of that unit have received the highest declaration offered 
by the U.S. Government, which is the Medal of Honor.
  Since Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom began, 
thousands of members of the 101st Airborne Division have been deployed 
no less than three times, performing dangerous counter-insurgency 
operations and working to secure liberty in nations that once served as 
safe havens for terrorists.
  I might also say that we pay special tribute to the nearly 200 
members of the 101st Division who have lost their lives fighting the 
global war on terrorism, and throughout its proud history over 6,000 
have lost their lives.
  Despite the dangers and difficulties faced by these soldiers and 
their loved ones, I might say that 65 percent reenlist and request to 
stay with the 101st Airborne Division, which certainly demonstrates the 
loyalty to the proud history and tradition of this unit.
  I'd like to thank all of the cosponsors of this resolution. The brave 
soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division have never hesitated to answer 
this Nation's call to duty, and it is my great privilege to honor them 
with this resolution.
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, again, I just want to salute Mr. 
Whitfield's and Mr. Rogers' fine comments. They've said it all.
  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
1080, a resolution honoring the extraordinary service and sacrifice of 
the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division of the United 
States Army and their families. I am proud to represent in this chamber 
a portion of Fort Campbell, where the Screaming Eagles are based.
   This resolution is especially timely as soldiers from the 101st 
Airborne Division are currently deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. In 
April, Major General Jeffrey Schloesser, who commands the Screaming 
Eagles, took over as the senior U.S. commander in Afghanistan. Under 
General Schloesser, the 101st Airborne Division took over command of 
Regional Command East, an area comprised of 14 provinces in eastern 
Afghanistan. At the same time, three Brigade Combat Teams from the 
101st Airborne Division are serving in Iraq. Many of the soldiers have 
been deployed multiple times in Afghanistan and Iraq, some of those 
deployments under the command of General David Petraeus, now the 
Commander of U.S. Central Command.
   One need only look at the history of the Screaming Eagles to 
understand the legacy of the 101st Airborne Division. Originally 
activated during World War I, the Screaming Eagles would go on to serve 
in World War II,

[[Page 14820]]

Vietnam, and Desert Storm, along with their most recent deployments to 
Afghanistan and Iraq.
   During World War II, the soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division 
would have the distinction of being the first Americans to land in 
France as part of the D-Day invasion. Nearly 60 years later, the 
Screaming Eagles became the first conventional unit to deploy in the 
Global War on Terror; participated in Operation Anaconda, a tough early 
battle in Afghanistan; and help lead the invasion into Iraq.
   Mr. Speaker, thank you for joining us today to honor the 101st 
Airborne Division, the men and women who have earned their place in 
history. They and their families will be in our thoughts and prayers as 
they continue to serve with distinction.
  Mr. COURTNEY. 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 Connecticut (Mr. Courtney) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1080, as amended.
  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. ROGERS of Alabama. 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 motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________