[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 3]
[House]
[Pages 3920-3922]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE EXCEPTIONAL SACRIFICE OF THE 69TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 
                       KNOWN AS THE FIGHTING 69TH

  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 991) recognizing the exceptional sacrifice of 
the 69th Infantry Regiment, known as the Fighting 69th, in support of 
the Global War on Terror.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 991

       Whereas the 69th Infantry Regiment, or the Fighting 69th, 
     with citizen-soldiers from Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the 
     Bronx, Staten Island, and Long Island, has faithfully 
     answered America's call to arms since its formation in 1851;
       Whereas the Fighting 69th was one of the first units to 
     assist in the recovery effort at the World Trade Center in 
     New York following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack, 
     where they lost a comrade, a firefighter;
       Whereas the 69th Infantry Regiment, while deployed to Iraq 
     as ``Task Force Wolfhound'', its first overseas combat since 
     World War II, fought to defend the city of Al Taji against 
     al-Qaeda terrorists, protected Iraq's first free elections, 
     and secured the infamous ``Route Irish'', the most dangerous 
     road in Baghdad;
       Whereas 19 members of the Fighting 69th were killed in 
     action and over 78 were wounded in Operation Wolfhound; and
       Whereas the Fighting 69th has now served the Nation in 5 
     wars and over 20 campaigns, and Congress has awarded 6 
     members with the Congressional Medal of Honor: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the 69th Infantry Regiment, or the Fighting 
     69th, as one of the great regiments in American military 
     history;
       (2) recognizes that America owes a tremendous debt for the 
     exceptional service, patriotism, and fidelity of the soldiers 
     of the Fighting 69th;
       (3) recognizes that the Fighting 69th has continually 
     participated in the Global War on Terror since the attack on 
     September 11, 2001; and
       (4) acknowledges that as the 69th Infantry Regiment deploys 
     to Afghanistan to fight in the central front in the Global 
     War on Terror, that the proud traditions of the regiment will 
     be respected and that the sacrifices of one of America's most 
     storied combat units will not go unnoticed.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I would ask that all Members have 5 
legislative days in 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 North Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might 
consume.
  I rise today in support of H. Res. 991 which recognizes the 
exceptional service of the 69th Infantry Regiment known as the Fighting 
69th in support of the conflicts that they have been involved in around 
the world. The 69th Infantry Regiment has a proud and strong history 
dating back to 1851 when it was created as the 69th New York Militia.

[[Page 3921]]

  The regiment has an Irish heritage because at its inception it was 
made up entirely of Irish Americans. Not only is it to honor for their 
current contributions to this country, but also it is only fitting that 
with the approach of St. Patrick's Day this coming Monday, when we 
honor our country's Irish heritage, it is also equally important to 
recognize that based upon this unit's history and its Irish heritage 
that we recognize this unit at this time.
  This unit, while deployed to Iraq as Task Force Wolfhound, secured 
the infamous Route Irish, which was one of the most dangerous roads in 
Baghdad. With that said, the Fighting 69th has now served our Nation in 
five wars and in over 20 campaigns. They are made up of New Yorkers 
from Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island and Long 
Island. These servicemembers are a tremendous credit to themselves, to 
their country and their unit.
  Those individuals who have previously served in the Fighting 69th 
would be proud of those that are currently serving and who are now 
carrying the mantle and battle colors of one of the greatest regiments 
in American history. The actions of the Fighting 69th, both after 9/11, 
to include their assistance and recovery efforts of the World Trade 
Center in New York, and their deployment now to Iraq, show the 
tremendous service and sacrifices this regiment has made, and that 
these servicemembers have individually, and, of course, collectively 
given their country. When the call to serve and fight has come, the 
Fighting 69th continues to answer that call.
  I would like to thank my colleague and my friend and fellow member of 
the Blue Dog Coalition, Congressman Steve Israel of New York, who is a 
former member of the House Armed Services Committee and who now 
currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee and who was also 
a cochairman of both the Center Aisle Caucus and the Democrat Study 
Group on national security, for bringing this resolution to the floor 
at this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 991, which 
recognizes the continuing service of the 69th Infantry Regiment, New 
York National Guard, whose citizen soldiers have faithfully answered 
America's call to arms since the regiment's formation back in 1851.
  Today, the 69th Infantry Regiment is again deploying to Afghanistan 
to continue America's fight in the global war on terror.
  In this most recent of American wars, the 69th has borne already a 
distinguished part. It was one of the first units to assist, as was 
mentioned, in the recovery effort at the World Trade Center in New York 
following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. It subsequently 
deployed to Iraq as Task Force Wolfhound where it fought to defend the 
City of al Taji against al Qaeda terrorists, protected Iraq's free 
elections, first free elections, and secured the infamous Route Irish, 
the most dangerous road in Baghdad. During that service in Iraq, 19 
members of the Fighting 69th were killed in action and 78 were wounded.
  In its history, the regiment has served the Nation, and as was 
mentioned also, in five wars and 20 campaigns and six of its members 
have been awarded the Medal of Honor. It is fitting that this 
resolution recognizes not only the historic contributions of the 69th 
Infantry Regiment, but also the depth America owes the soldiers of the 
unit for their exceptional service, patriotism and fidelity in fighting 
in all fronts of the global war on terror since the attack on September 
11, 2001.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to 
my friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel).
  Mr. ISRAEL. I thank the distinguished gentleman, my very good friend 
from North Carolina, who has always been a tenacious advocate for the 
needs of the military and military families at Fort Bragg. I don't 
reside in North Carolina, but I do know from our friendship and our 
many conversations that no one fights harder and more effectively to 
represent the interests of those who are at Fort Bragg, including many 
of my constituents, who are there now waiting to deploy to Afghanistan.
  I am very proud to stand here as a sponsor of this bill to honor New 
York's 69th Infantry Regiment, known as the Fighting 69th, once fought 
as part of the Irish Brigade.
  I also want to acknowledge my cosponsor, Congressman Peter King, the 
gentleman from New York, one of the earliest Republican sponsors of 
this measure which I have drafted.
  Soon we will celebrate St. Patrick's day. That is a day when we will 
commemorate the enduring contributions of Irish Americans to the 
founding and development of this Nation.
  In fact, if you read a book by Tom Cahill called ``How the Irish 
Saved Civilization,'' you would know that not only have the Irish made 
an enduring contribution to the founding and development of our 
country, but that their contribution transcends our country. When the 
world was a dark place, when the Roman Empire fell, when barbarians 
ruled, they tore down libraries, they destroyed all literature.
  But it was the Irish who built monasteries. It was the Irish who 
brought scribes in who literally copied all of the great works of 
civilization. They preserved it. They handed it down from one 
generation to the next so that we would have it today.
  In fact, it was Irish who did save civilization and similarly, it is 
the Fighting Irish, the 69th Infantry, that has saved America time 
after time after time and always answered their country's call.
  Tonight, we put aside whatever political differences many of us have 
had in the past with respect to whether we should go to war in Iraq or 
not have gone to war in Iraq. That's not what this is about. Because, 
together, every Member of this House, Democrats and Republicans, 
support those who are fighting for our country and have answered the 
country's call.
  We support men and women when they are in battle. We support them 
when they come home. I have always said thank God we live in a country 
that gives us the right to agree with the decision to go to war, the 
right to disagree with that decision, the right to remain silent. But 
no one has any right at all to forget the contributions that 
servicemembers make when they are called into duty. That is what this 
resolution is about.
  Tonight there are a group of men who are in my friend from North 
Carolina's district who are at Fort Bragg. They are waiting to deploy 
to Afghanistan with the Fighting 69th. They are continuing the proudest 
traditions of being deployed to some of the most dangerous places 
around the world.
  In the French campaigns of World War I, the island-hopping battles of 
World War II, in Iraq. That has been the history of the Fighting 69th 
since 1851.

                              {time}  2100

  In fact, it is safe to say that it was the 69th that saved the Union 
during the Civil War. And I would say, with apologies to my friend from 
North Carolina, the fact of the matter is that those of us on the north 
side of the Mason-Dixon Line recognize the fact that had it not been 
for the Fighting 69th, that we might have lost. Why is that? Because in 
1861 there was a rumor that the British were going to assist and aid 
the Confederacy because the British needed cotton and textiles. Had 
they done that, that would have tilted the balance. That would have 
ended the cause for those of us north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
  But you know what? President Lincoln did something very, very smart. 
Knowing that we could not afford for that to happen, he rallied the 
Irish boys. He went into New York City, and he mobilized many brand-new 
Irish American citizens in New York City and asked them to fight for 
freedom and to fight for the Union. And they fought. They fought at 
Malvern Hill in

[[Page 3922]]

Virginia, not very far away from here. They fought against the dreaded 
and omnipotent Louisiana Tigers. And they won that battle. It was one 
of the first battles that the Union won. We were getting beaten in many 
of the early battles. And when Robert E. Lee asked his staff, Who beat 
us? Who did we just fight? His staff said, General, it was the 69th New 
York, to which Robert E. Lee, said, Ah, the Fighting 69th. And that is 
how they got their name, and they have carried that tradition with them 
ever since, through four wars and a fight to come in Afghanistan, 19 
campaigns, six medals of honor.
  On 9/11, many of them went to the Lexington Avenue Armory. I was 
there just a few weeks ago. And then they went to Ground Zero. One lost 
his life, Firefighter Gerard Batpees, a first lieutenant in the 69th. 
And then they went to Iraq, men like Chris Daniels from Centerport, Lou 
Delapizi from Bay Shore, and Col. Charles T. Crosby, the commander of 
the 69th in New York City.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to wrap up by telling my colleagues that a few 
weeks ago I visited with men of the Fighting 69th at the Bay Shore 
Armory on Long Island, and we had some good old New York pizza 
together, and I plan to visit with them in Afghanistan this July.
  Many of us marched in St. Patrick's Day parades last week. Many of us 
will march again in St. Patrick's Day parades this weekend. And as we 
do, I hope we will remember the marches of the Fighting 69th, on 
Malvern Hill, in France, on Okinawa, where Private Ruiz won a 
Congressional Medal of Honor for single handedly destroying a Japanese 
pillbox. Private Ruiz, not exactly an Irish name, but the courage was 
Irish. On Route Irish in Baghdad, in Kabul and Jalalabad within weeks, 
that is where they marched and will continue to march. When they visit 
Afghanistan, they will be on some high mountains and in some very rainy 
and windy places, and I know we will think of them and apply to them 
this Irish blessing:
  ``May you always have walls for the wind,
  a roof for the rain,
  tea beside the fire,
  laughter to cheer you on,
  those you love near you,
  and all your heart may desire.''
  Mr. Speaker, may they come home soon to a country safer and sounder 
because of their courage.
  I want to again thank the gentleman from North Carolina for his 
leadership. I also want to thank Major John Mark Pierre, an Army Fellow 
assigned to my office. He understood how important this bill was to me 
and his assistance was invaluable. I want to also thank Chairman 
Skelton and Ranking Member Hunter for allowing this resolution to come 
to this floor.
  Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in support of 
this important legislation, H. Res. 991, honoring New York's famed 69th 
Infantry Regiment for its dedication and valorous service in the war 
against terror, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  The Fighting 69th has been engaged in the war against terrorism since 
the very onset of the war, having been deployed to secure Ground Zero 
in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 
2001.
  The 69th was deployed to Iraq in ``Operation Wolfhound'' and served 
with great distinction, defending the city of Al Taji, protecting 
Iraq's first free elections and, most significantly, securing ``Route 
Irish'' which had been the most dangerous travel route in Baghdad. 
Tragically the 69th had 19 troops killed in ``Operation Wolfhound'' and 
78 wounded. At no time, however, did the Fighting 69th ever waver in 
its mission. The Fighting 69th is now being deployed to Afghanistan 
where it will once more take the fight to our enemy.
  Having served in the Fighting 69th and being an active member of the 
69th Infantry Veterans' Corps, I take particular pride in this 
regiment's achievements.
  The Fighting 69th has served in five wars and six of its members have 
been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Its courageous service 
in Iraq and Afghanistan is adding new chapters to the regiment's 
historic and noble history.
  I urge adoption of the resolution.
  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers that are 
available, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McIntyre) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 991.
  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. McINTYRE. 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.

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