[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 3624]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE ROTUNDA OF THE CAPITOL FOR A CEREMONY TO 
  HONOR THE 5 YEARS OF SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF OUR TROOPS AND THEIR 
 FAMILIES IN THE WAR IN IRAQ AND TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO ARE SERVING OUR 
             NATION IN AFGHANISTAN AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

  Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Madam Speaker, I send a concurrent 
resolution, H. Con. Res. 313, to the desk and ask unanimous consent for 
its immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I reserve the right to object, but I will 
not object. I simply want to point out this is a very important thing 
that we should do for our troops. I'm delighted that someone has 
suggested that we use the rotunda for this purpose.
  We all know how difficult it has been for the troops in both 
Afghanistan and Iraq and in other parts of the world. We also know that 
there is not universal support in our country for the work that they 
are doing, and this makes their job doubly difficult. So I'm very 
pleased to support this resolution and make certain that we truly and 
properly honor the work of our Armed Forces and their families 
throughout the world when they work in such difficult circumstances.
  Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. EHLERS. Yes, I would be delighted to yield.
  Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. I would just note that, as the 
gentleman has mentioned, it is important that we honor the 5 years of 
service and sacrifice of our troops and their families in the war in 
Iraq and remember our troops serving in Afghanistan and throughout the 
world.
  I would note that Ranking Member Ehlers is a cosponsor of this 
resolution, and both conflicts are still ongoing. Our troops' efforts 
have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Their sacrifice and 
dedication to their country must be honored, as well as the sacrifice 
and dedication of American troops stationed at home and around the 
world. And I am pleased that we will have this important recognition in 
the people's House, in the rotunda.
  I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. EHLERS. Reserving the right to object, I simply want to thank the 
gentlewoman from California for her good comments. And I hope every 
Member of this Congress will join us in approving this particular 
resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 313

       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),

     SECTION 1. USE OF ROTUNDA FOR CEREMONY HONORING THOSE SERVING 
                   IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ.

       (a) Use of Rotunda.--The rotunda of the Capitol is 
     authorized to be used on March 13, 2008, for a ceremony to 
     honor the 5 years of service and sacrifice of our troops and 
     their families in the war in Iraq and to remember those who 
     are serving our Nation in Afghanistan and throughout the 
     world.
       (b) Preparations.--Physical preparations for the ceremony 
     referred to in subsection (a) shall be carried out in 
     accordance with such conditions as the Architect of the 
     Capitol may prescribe.

  The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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