[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23493]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         CELEBRATING CENTRAL LOUISIANA'S RICH MILITARY HERITAGE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 29, 2008

  Mr. ALEXANDER. -Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 66th 
anniversary of the creation of the Airborne at Camp Claiborne, La., and 
to celebrate Central Louisiana's rich military heritage.
   Central Louisiana has strong historic ties to America's military 
history, from colonial days to the present, having served as a major 
training location for the U.S. military forces in World War I, World 
War II, as well as more recent conflicts around the world.
   On August 16, 1942, the 101st Airborne Division was created at Camp 
Claiborne, La. The 101st Airborne had a ``rendezvous with destiny'' to 
defend American interests on the battlefields of the world since World 
War II.
   To commemorate this day in history, the City of Alexandria and the 
City of Pineville, with Louisiana State University (LSU) at Alexandria, 
are cosponsoring a historic event on October 3, 2008.
   This celebration will recognize and honor the service and sacrifices 
of the 1st Battalion of the 509th Airborne Infantry, currently based at 
Fort Polk, La., which saw action in World War II.
   In addition, this event will honor the service of Dr. H. Rouse 
Caffey, former Chancellor of LSU Alexandria and Louisiana State 
University Agricultural Center, as well as a veteran of the 82nd 
Airborne Division.
   The National World War II Museum in New Orleans, La., which is 
dedicated to preserving and studying the history of the war, is also 
collaborating with LSU Alexandria in celebrating this historic event 
with other organizations including the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 
the Louisiana National Guard, the Don F. Pratt Memorial Museum at Fort 
Campbell, Ky., the Louisiana Military Maneuvers Museum, the Kent 
Plantation House, the Arts Council of Louisiana, the Mississippi Armed 
Forces Museum, the Alexandria/Pineville Area Convention and Visitors 
Bureau, the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum and the Alexandria 
Museum of Art.
   Distinguished speakers of the event include Thomas Czekanski, 
Director of Collections at the National World War II museum in New 
Orleans, La., and Dr. Jerry Sanson, Professor of History and Political 
Science at LSU Alexandria.
   Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing 
the historic celebration of Central Louisiana's rich military heritage 
and specifically the 66th anniversary of the creation of the Airborne 
at Camp Claiborne, La., in 1942.

                          ____________________