[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14354]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         NATIONAL AIRBORNE DAY

  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to 
the consideration of S. Res. 599, submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 599) designating August 16, 2010, as 
     ``National Airborne Day.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. 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. 599) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 599

       Whereas the airborne forces of the Armed Forces have a long 
     and honorable history as units of bold and fierce warriors 
     who, for the national security of the United States and the 
     defense of freedom and peace, project the effective ground 
     combat power of the United States by Air Force air transport 
     to the far reaches of the battle area and, indeed, to the far 
     corners of the world;
       Whereas the United States experiment with airborne infantry 
     attack began on June 25, 1940, when the Army Parachute Test 
     Platoon was first authorized by the Department of War and was 
     launched when 48 volunteers began training in July 1940;
       Whereas August 16 marks the anniversary of the first 
     official Army parachute jump on August 16, 1940, to test the 
     innovative concept of inserting United States ground combat 
     forces behind a battle line by means of parachute;
       Whereas the success of the Army Parachute Test Platoon in 
     the days immediately before the entry of the United States 
     into World War II led to the formation of a formidable force 
     of airborne units that have served with distinction and have 
     had repeated success in armed hostilities;
       Whereas among those first airborne units are the former 
     11th, 13th, and 17th Airborne Divisions, the current 82nd and 
     101st Airborne Divisions, and the later airborne regiments 
     and battalions (some as components of those divisions and 
     some as separate units) that achieved distinction as the 75th 
     Ranger Regiment, the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, the 
     187th Infantry (Airborne) Regiment, which is the only 
     airborne unit to have served as a Glider, Parachute, and Air 
     Assault Regiment, the 501st, 502nd, 503rd, 504th, 505th, 
     506th, 507th, 508th, 509th, 511th, 513th, 517th, 541st, and 
     542nd Parachute Infantry Regiments, the 88th, 127th, 193rd, 
     194th, 325th, 326th, 327th, and 401st Glider Infantry 
     Regiments, the 509th, 550th, 551st, and 555th Parachute 
     Infantry Battalions, and the 550th Airborne Infantry 
     Battalion;
       Whereas the achievements of the airborne forces during 
     World War II prompted the evolution of those forces into a 
     diversified force of parachute and air assault units that, 
     over the years, have fought in Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, 
     Panama, the Persian Gulf region, and Somalia and have engaged 
     in peacekeeping operations in Lebanon, the Sinai Peninsula, 
     the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bosnia, and Kosovo;
       Whereas since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, 
     United States paratroopers, which include members of the 
     XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, the 101st 
     Airborne Division (Air Assault), the 173rd Airborne Brigade 
     Combat Team, the 4th Brigade (Airborne) of the 25th Infantry 
     Division, the 75th Ranger Regiment, and special forces units, 
     together with other units of the Armed Forces, have 
     demonstrated bravery and honor in combat operations, civil 
     affairs missions, and training operations in Afghanistan and 
     Iraq;
       Whereas the modern day airborne force also includes other 
     elite forces composed entirely of airborne trained and 
     qualified special operations warriors, including Army Special 
     Forces, Marine Corps Reconnaissance units, Navy SEALs, Air 
     Force combat control teams, pararescue, and weather teams, 
     all of which are part of the United States Special Operations 
     Command;
       Whereas of the members and former members of the United 
     States airborne forces, thousands have achieved the 
     distinction of making combat jumps, dozens have earned the 
     Medal of Honor, and hundreds have earned the Distinguished 
     Service Cross, the Silver Star Medal, or other decorations 
     and awards for displays heroism, gallantry, intrepidity, and 
     valor;
       Whereas the members and former members of the United States 
     airborne forces are all members of a proud and honorable 
     tradition that, together with their special skills and 
     achievements, distinguishes them as intrepid combat 
     parachutists, air assault forces, special operation forces, 
     and, in former days, glider troops;
       Whereas the history and achievements of the members and 
     former members of the United States airborne forces warrant 
     special expressions of the gratitude of the people of the 
     United States; and
       Whereas, since the airborne community celebrates August 16 
     as the anniversary of the first official jump by the Army 
     Parachute Test Platoon, August 16 would be an appropriate day 
     to recognize as National Airborne Day: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates August 16, 2010, as ``National Airborne 
     Day''; and
       (2) calls on the people of the United States to observe 
     National Airborne Day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, 
     and activities.

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