[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 8542-8543]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NORTH AMERICAN AEROSPACE DEFENSE COMMAND

  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 561, which was submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 561) commemorating the 50th 
     anniversary of the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I rise to commemorate the 50th anniversary 
of the signing of the North American Aerospace Defense Command 
Agreement between the United States and Canada. For my State of 
Colorado, today is an especially proud and gratifying occasion as it is 
home to the headquarters of the North American Aerospace Defense 
Command, located at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs.
  On May 12, 1958, the United States and Canada signed an official 
agreement creating the unique and fully integrated binational North 
American Aerospace Defense Command, commonly known as NORAD. 
Administered by the United States Air Force in conjunction with 
Canadian Forces, NORAD is a premier military command that uses the most 
innovative technology and equipment to secure our skies. Today, 50 
years after its inception, we honor NORAD and pay tribute to the men 
and women who have served and continue to serve NORAD's mission with 
humility and distinction. To these American and Canadian 
servicemembers, I say thank you.
  For five decades, NORAD's mission has been to prevent air attacks 
against North America and safeguard the sovereign airspaces of the 
United States and Canada by responding to unknown, unwanted and 
unauthorized air activity approaching or operating within our 
airspaces. In more recent years, NORAD's mission has evolved to include 
collaborative efforts with civilian law enforcement officers to detect 
and monitor aircraft suspected of trafficking illegal drugs to North 
America. In addition, NORAD has developed a system to help our homeland 
defense and security partners observe North American seas and to warn 
of encroaching maritime threats. In pursuit of these missions, NORAD 
has achieved remarkable success.
  Over the years NORAD has strengthened the venerable relationship 
between the United States and Canada. It has been a source of stability 
for our two nations during good times and bad. Throughout the turbulent 
Cold War, and now in the midst of the war on terror, NORAD is 
responsible for continually bringing together bright and courageous 
minds to help detect, deter and defend against lethal threats to the 
North American continent. Furthermore, NORAD has become a model for 
international defense cooperation. It has allowed for the necessary 
enhancement of information and intelligence sharing between Canadian 
and American militaries, intelligence agencies, and other security 
organizations. Twenty four hours a day, 7 days a week, NORAD units all 
over North America are alert, prepared and equipped to take action to 
defend our continent and to safeguard our freedoms.
  Throughout my nearly 18 years in the U.S. Congress, I have spent 
quite a bit of time with the commanders at NORAD, and each time we 
visit I am encouraged by their efforts and reminded of why America is, 
and will always be, great. With the safety and security of America 
entrusted to institutions like NORAD and to the brave men and women of 
our armed forces, I am confident that America will be protected for 
generations to come.
  Especially since the horrific events of September 11, 2001, and the 
launch of the war on terror, the continued resolve of the United States 
and Canada to pay any cost to face any foe is more relevant than ever. 
If we are to remain sovereign and free, America and Canada must 
continue to adapt to a changing world and respond effectively to 
evolving threats. I am confident in our ability to do so. Through NORAD 
and other binational partnerships, America and Canada will jointly and 
efficiently combat any threat we confront in the 21st century.
  Today, as a nation, we honor the legacy and achievements of the North 
American Aerospace Defense Command, and we look forward to another half 
century of this successful partnership so that NORAD can continue to 
provide for the protection of our airspace and our homeland. I offer my 
sincere congratulations to the North American Aerospace Defense Command 
for 50 years of extraordinary service to the United States and Canada.
  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 561) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

[[Page 8543]]



                              S. Res. 561

       Whereas, on May 12, 1958, the United States and Canada 
     signed an official agreement creating the bi-national North 
     American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and formally 
     acknowledged their mutual commitment to defending their 
     citizens from air attacks;
       Whereas 2008 marks the 50th anniversary of the creation of 
     the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the 
     outstanding efforts of American and Canadian service men and 
     women defending North America;
       Whereas the North American Aerospace Defense Command is a 
     unique and fully integrated bi-national United States and 
     Canadian command;
       Whereas the North American Aerospace Defense Command is 
     headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, 
     Colorado, and administered by the United States Air Force, 
     with 3 subordinate regional centers located at Elmendorf Air 
     Force Base, Alaska, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, and 
     Canadian Forces Base, Winnipeg, Manitoba;
       Whereas the mission of the North American Aerospace Defense 
     Command is to ``prevent air attacks against North America, 
     safeguard the sovereign airspaces of the United States and 
     Canada by responding to unknown, unwanted, and unauthorized 
     air activity approaching and operating within those 
     airspaces, and provide aerospace and maritime warning for 
     North America'';
       Whereas, through joint support arrangements with other 
     commands, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, 
     including United States Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force 
     Base, Nebraska, detects, validates, and warns of attacks 
     against North America whether by aircraft, missile, or space 
     vehicle;
       Whereas the North American Aerospace Defense Command and 
     United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) joint command 
     center serves as a central collection and coordination site 
     for a worldwide system of sensors designed to provide the 
     commander and the governments of Canada and the United States 
     with an accurate picture of any aerospace threat;
       Whereas the commander of the North American Aerospace 
     Defense Command provides integrated tactical warning and 
     attack assessments to the governments of the United States 
     and Canada;
       Whereas the North American Aerospace Defense Command uses a 
     network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radar, 
     fighters and helicopters, and ground-based air defense 
     systems to detect, intercept, and, if necessary, engage any 
     air-breathing threats to North America;
       Whereas North American Aerospace Defense Command assists in 
     the detection and monitoring of aircraft suspected of illegal 
     drug trafficking;
       Whereas the Alaskan NORAD Region located at Elmendorf Air 
     Force Base is supported by both the Eleventh Air Force and 
     Air National Guard units;
       Whereas the May 2006 North American Aerospace Defense 
     Command Agreement renewal added a maritime warning mission to 
     its slate of responsibilities, which entails a shared 
     awareness and understanding of the ongoing activities 
     conducted in United States and Canadian maritime approaches, 
     maritime areas, and inland waterways;
       Whereas the horrific events of September 11, 2001, 
     demonstrated the North American Aerospace Defense Command's 
     continued relevance to North American security;
       Whereas, since 2001, the Continental NORAD region, which is 
     divided into 2 defense sectors--the Western Defense Sector, 
     with its headquarters located at McChord Air Force Base, 
     Washington, and the Eastern Defense Sector, with its 
     headquarters located at Rome, New York--has been the lead 
     agency for Operation Noble Eagle, an ongoing mission to 
     protect the continental United States from further airborne 
     aggression from inside and outside of America's borders;
       Whereas, in the spring of 2003, North American Aerospace 
     Defense Command fighters based at Tyndall Air Force Base, 
     Florida, intercepted 2 hijacked aircraft that originated in 
     Cuba and escorted them to Key West, Florida;
       Whereas the continued service with valor and honor of 
     American and Canadian men and women serving at the North 
     American Aerospace Defense Command is central to North 
     America's ability to confront and successfully defeat threats 
     of the 21st century; and
       Whereas the continuation of the longstanding and successful 
     relationship between the United States and Canada through the 
     North American Aerospace Defense Command is paramount to the 
     future security of the people of the United States and 
     Canada: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the contributions made by the North American 
     Aerospace Defense Command to the security of North America; 
     and
       (2) commemorates 50 years of excellence and distinctive 
     service to the United States and Canada.

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