[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 12201-12203]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            SUPPORTING NATIONAL MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH

  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 84) supporting the goals and 
objectives of a National Military Appreciation Month.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 84

       Whereas the vigilance of the members of the Armed Forces 
     has been instrumental to the preservation of the freedom, 
     security, and prosperity enjoyed by the people of the United 
     States;
       Whereas the success of the Armed Forces depends on the 
     dedicated service of its members, their families, and the 
     civilian employees of the Department of Defense and the Coast 
     Guard;
       Whereas the role of the United States as a world leader 
     requires a military force that is well-trained, well-
     equipped, and appropriately sized;
       Whereas the Federal Government has a responsibility to 
     raise awareness of and respect for this aspect of the 
     heritage of the United States and to encourage the people of 
     the United States to dedicate themselves to the values and 
     principles for which Americans have served and sacrificed 
     throughout the history of the Nation;
       Whereas service in the Armed Forces entails special hazards 
     and demands extraordinary sacrifices from service members and 
     their families;
       Whereas the support of the families of service members 
     enhances the effectiveness and capabilities of the Armed 
     Forces;
       Whereas the observance of events recognizing the 
     contributions of the Armed Forces is a tangible and highly 
     effective way of sustaining morale and improving quality of 
     life for service members and their families;
       Whereas, on April 30, 1999, the Senate passed S. Res. 33 
     (106th Congress), entitled

[[Page 12202]]

     ``Designating May 1999 as `National Military Appreciation 
     Month' '', calling on the people of the United States, in a 
     symbolic act of unity, to observe a National Military 
     Appreciation Month in May 1999, to honor the current and 
     former members of the Armed Forces, including those who have 
     died in the pursuit of freedom and peace;
       Whereas, on March 24, 2004, the House of Representatives 
     passed H. Con. Res. 328 (108th Congress), entitled 
     ``Recognizing and honoring the United States Armed Forces and 
     supporting the goals and objectives of a National Military 
     Appreciation Month'', and on April 26, 2004, the Senate 
     passed H. Con. Res. 328 by unanimous consent; and
       Whereas it is important to emphasize to the people of the 
     United States the relevance of the history and activities of 
     the Armed Forces through an annual National Military 
     Appreciation Month that includes associated local and 
     national observances and activities: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) supports the goals and objectives of a National 
     Military Appreciation Month; and
       (2) urges the President to issue a proclamation calling on 
     the people of the United States, all Federal departments and 
     agencies, States, localities, organizations, and media to 
     annually observe a National Military Appreciation Month with 
     appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. 
Fortenberry) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  I rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 84, sponsored 
by my friend and colleague from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp), a resolution 
supporting the goals and objectives of National Military Appreciation 
Month.

                              {time}  1615

  Each May since 1999, Congress has taken the time to honor our 
Nation's bravest men and women serving in the Armed Forces. Throughout 
our history, they have put themselves in harm's way all over the world 
in order to protect and defend our country. They continue to do so 
today, and they deserve our gratitude.
  In the wake of the tragic shooting yesterday at Camp Victory in 
Baghdad, we are reminded of the perils and the stress that our Armed 
Forces face constantly during periods of deployment. It is important, I 
think, that we always show our appreciation for their service, but as 
we continue to face two long wars, they need and deserve our support 
now more than ever. I am glad we are taking the time today to thank 
them for their service, and I know that all my colleagues keep them and 
their families in our thoughts and prayers.
  This measure was introduced this year on March 26 by Representative 
Wamp of Tennessee and was referred to the Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform. The committee reported the bill by unanimous consent 
on May 6, and it comes to the House floor today with the bipartisan 
support of over 75 cosponsors.
  Mr. Speaker, every single day our soldiers, sailors, airmen and air 
women, marines, and their families, make tremendous sacrifices in 
service to our country. I have seen this firsthand on many, many 
deployments by these soldiers during my regular visits to Iraq and 
Afghanistan.
  Our country is at war, and our military is certainly deserving of our 
support now more than ever. Today I ask my colleagues to join all 
Americans in giving thanks to our men and women in uniform.
  Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 84 gives us the opportunity 
to show our appreciation and respect to members and veterans of the 
armed services, men and women that hail from all walks of life but are 
bound together by one noble characteristic and take one simple but 
profound act. They have put on the uniform of our country, and they are 
together committed to protecting Americans and their liberties that we 
hold so dear.
  Thus, to the military personnel from my own congressional district 
and to those of every congressional district represented in this body, 
we sincerely thank you, our men and women in uniform, for your service 
to our country.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.
  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 11th anniversary of National 
Military Appreciation Month, which was first passed as Senate 
Resolution 33, designating May 1999 the first National Military 
Appreciation Month.
  Although it is important that we recognize our servicemembers every 
year, it is during times of conflict when one can truly put their 
sacrifices into greater perspective. These outstanding men and women 
sacrifice much so that we may continue to reap the many benefits of 
freedom in our land. While we enjoy the comfort of our homes and 
families, these brave soldiers are stationed far from home across our 
country and throughout the entire world.
  Those who serve are our mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, cousins and 
closest friends. These are the individuals who comprise our Nation's 
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard, and we salute them 
and pledge to them our gratitude. While expressing our gratitude to the 
military, it is also important to recognize the thousands of families 
who often endure hardship and loneliness while their loved ones are 
serving our country. They must relocate, often putting additional 
strain on the family.
  On this day, we must also remember and show appreciation for those 
who served our country in the past and have played a critical role in 
making America the great country that it is today.
  Mr. Speaker, we live in the greatest Nation in the world, and we owe 
much of our success to the men and women in uniform who answered the 
ultimate call of duty to serve and protect our Nation's citizens. 
Although this concurrent resolution serves to honor and support the 
goals and objectives of National Military Appreciation Month during the 
month of May, I hope our soldiers realize that their service is 
appreciated each and every day of the entire year.
  I ask all Members, therefore, to join me in unwavering support of our 
military by supporting House Concurrent Resolution 84.
  And with that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers at this time; 
however, I will continue to reserve.
  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, so 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, again, I would like to urge my colleagues to 
join with Mr. Wamp, the gentleman from Tennessee, who is the chief 
sponsor of this resolution, to show our support for our men and women 
in uniform by supporting this measure.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of H. 
Con. Res. 84, ``Supporting the goals and objectives of a National 
Military Appreciation Month.'' I would like to thank Representative 
Zach Wamp of Tennessee for introducing this resolution. We often take 
our National Military for granted, and I welcome this opportunity to 
reach out and recognize the importance of the National Military in the 
United States.
  I do not believe there is a person in this body, or a person in this 
building, who does not feel a remarkable pride in the presence of the 
men and women who serve in our nation's military. The success of the 
Armed Forces depends on the dedicated service of its members, their 
families, and the civilian employees of the Department of Defense and 
the Coast Guard. Their incredible sacrifices and courage in the face of 
innumerable hazards have been critical to the preservation of the 
freedom, security, and prosperity enjoyed that we as Americans have 
come to love, enjoy, and even expect.
  In the Iraq War, Texas has suffered over 222 resident casualties, 
second only to California. As a Representative for the 18th District of 
Texas, H. Con. Res. 84 is very close to the hearts of those I 
represent. Many Texans hold a passion for protecting the integrity

[[Page 12203]]

and strength of their nation, and as the recruitment numbers show, they 
often exercise their passion, by joining the military. In past studies, 
Texas has been the number one state for military recruitment; 
therefore, recognition of military involvement is an important issue in 
Texas and in Houston.
  Texas is home to more than 194,965 military personnel including a 
number of Army, Navy and Marine, Air Force, and Coast Guard bases. H. 
Con. Res. will encourage the citizens of Texas to reach out to those 
whom are involved with the military and extend their gratitude for all 
that they do for our nation. Because there is a large population of 
military personnel in Texas, it is critical that we show them the 
support of their nation and their state for all the positive 
contributions they have brought. I firmly believe that H. Con. Res. 84 
is a positive step for the recognition, acknowledgement, and gratitude 
that should be given to our military personnel, and I hope to see the 
National Military Appreciation Month become a special time for the 
state of Texas to recognize the national contributions.
  My City of Houston stands as an example of America's relationship 
with its military. Just outside the city stands Ellington Air Force 
Base, which has recently been renamed Ellington Airport. It was 
established in 1917 during the height of World War I, when aviation was 
in its infancy. In Word War II, it served as a pilot training center. 
In the Cold War, the base proved useful in a number of pilot training 
programs and for a number of famous NASA missions, as well as serving 
briefly as a naval base for antisubmarine aircraft.
  As my city works with our active military, so do we do our part in 
the aid of our Nation's veterans. Within city limits stands the Michael 
E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. It was awarded the Robert W. Carey 
Organizational Excellence Award in 2005, the Robert W. Carey Circle of 
Excellence Quality Award in 2007, and re-designation for Magnet 
Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Services in 2008.
  The MEDVAMC serves as the primary health care provider for more than 
120,000 veterans in southeast Texas and over 13,000 from Houston. 
Veterans from around the country are referred to the MEDVAMC for 
countless medical services, and their outpatient clinics logged nearly 
900,000 outpatient visits in fiscal year 2008 alone. All this in a 
state with over 1.7 million veterans, 247,000 of which are disabled and 
over 25,000 buried in her soil.
  Because of this undeniable fact of our Nation's existence, the 
Federal Government has a responsibility to raise awareness of and 
respect for this aspect of the heritage of the United States and to 
encourage the people of the United States to dedicate themselves to the 
values and principles for which Americans have served and sacrificed 
throughout the history of the Nation--the ultimate sacrifice of paying 
for our freedom and expectation of freedom with their lives.
  Beyond helping to make Americans more aware of something so central 
to our country's liberty and prosperity, the observance of events 
recognizing the contributions of the Armed Forces is a tangible and 
highly effective way of sustaining morale and improving quality of life 
for service members and their families. Given that the support of the 
families of service members enhances the effectiveness and capabilities 
of the Armed Forces, this is more than enough reason for us to act 
today.
  It is for these reasons that this Congress has made this resolution 
many times before. Ten years ago, on April 30, 1999, the Senate passed 
S. Res. 33, designating May 1999 as ``National Military Appreciation 
Month''. For that month, Congress called on the people of the United 
States, in a symbolic act of unity, to observe this remembrance, and to 
honor the current and former members of the Armed Forces, including 
those who have died in the pursuit of freedom and peace.
  Less than 5 years later, on March 24, 2004, the House of 
Representatives passed H. Con. Res. 328, ``Recognizing and honoring the 
United States Armed Forces and supporting the goals and objectives of a 
National Military Appreciation Month'', a bill I gladly supported. Less 
than a month later, on April 26, 2004, the Senate passed H. Con. Res. 
328 by unanimous consent.
  I have sought to do my part as well; earlier this year, I introduced 
to this body H.R. 228, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs to establish and carry out a scholarship program for students 
seeking a degree or certificate in the areas of visual impairment and 
orientation and mobility.
  And so I join once again in not only giving my support for the goals 
and objectives of National Military Appreciation Month, but in urging 
the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the 
United States, all Federal departments and agencies, States, 
localities, organizations, and media to annually observe a National 
Military Appreciation Month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
  Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call your attention to H. Con. 
Res. 84, a bipartisan resolution I authored, supporting the goals and 
objectives of a National Military Appreciation Month. First, I would 
like to thank my colleague, Congressman Chet Edwards, for being the 
lead cosponsor of this resolution and for his efforts in helping move 
this resolution forward. Congressman Edwards is a strong advocate on 
Military Quality of Life issues in Congress and I am pleased to have 
the opportunity to work with him on the vital issue of raising 
awareness of National Military Appreciation Month. In addition, I would 
like to thank the National Military Appreciation Month organization for 
their grassroots efforts in building support for the resolution. It 
truly has been a collaborative effort for an important cause. It is one 
of the highest honors of my career to pay tribute and recognize these 
great patriots who serve and defend our Nation.
  National Military Appreciation Month provides a period encompassing 
both the history and recognition of our armed services with an in-depth 
look at the diversity of its individuals and achievements. It allows 
Americans to educate each generation on the historical impact of our 
military through the participation of the community with those who 
serve encouraging patriotism and love for America.
  This month gives the nation a time and place on which to focus and 
draw attention to our many expressions of appreciation and recognition 
of our armed services via numerous venues and also to recall and learn 
about our vast American history.
  It recognizes those on active duty in all branches of the services, 
the National Guard and Reserves plus retirees, veterans, and all of 
their families--well over 90 million Americans and more than 230 years 
of our nation's history.
  Congress and the American people continue to stand by our service men 
and women. These brave warriors are working nonstop to protect our 
freedom and to keep every American safe. We should be grateful for 
their sacrifices and that of their families. We must do everything we 
can for the men and women who are put in harm's way for the sake of our 
nation. Let us celebrate them just as we celebrate the other important 
entities that make up this wonderful country of ours.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of this 
important resolution.
  Mr. LYNCH. I yield back the balance of our time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Tonko). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
84.
  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. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  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.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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