[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13377]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       THE 240TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MILITARY CHAPLAINCY FOUNDING

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                           HON. TIM HUELSKAMP

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 2015

  Mr. HUELSKAMP. Mr. Speaker, military life is filled with unspoken 
hardships, extraordinary demands--physically, mentally, spiritually, 
and relationally--and constant sacrifice by both our military members 
and their families. Recognizing this tremendous cost on our soldiers 
and the need to lighten their burdens, at the request of George 
Washington, the continental Congress created the military chaplaincy 
240 years ago today. In fact, George Washington believed chaplains were 
so essential he asked for an increase in their pay in order ``to 
encourage men of Abilities'' to become chaplains. In the anniversary of 
the Chaplain Corps founding, I want to take this opportunity to honor 
our military chaplains who courageously serve the ongoing spiritual, 
religious, and emotional needs of our men and women in uniform.
  Since 1775 more than 25,000 chaplains have served in every major war 
and combat engagements our nation has fought, while hundreds have paid 
the ultimate sacrifice--including the late Father Emil J. Kapaun. 
Called a ``shepherd in combat boots,'' Father Kapaun was an Army 
captain and Roman Catholic priest from Pilsen, Kansas who died a 
prisoner of war in the Korean War. His surviving comrades noted how he 
selflessly risked his life to rescue wounded soldiers, nursed the sick 
and wounded, and stood steadfast in his faith and his lifesaving 
ministerial responsibilities despite horrific persecution. In 2013, I 
had the honor of witnessing this saintly chaplain be awarded the 
Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroism posthumously.
  Additionally, The Diocese of Wichita and the Vatican have begun the 
formal process that could lead to Father Kapaun's canonization. In 
1993, it was announced that Fr. Kapaun would receive the title of 
``Servant of God.''
  The following account of Father Kapaun's Korean War service is 
provided by the United States Army:

       Kapaun moved fearlessly from foxhole to foxhole under 
     direct enemy fire in order to provide comfort and reassurance 
     to the outnumbered Soldiers. He repeatedly exposed himself to 
     enemy fire to recover wounded men, dragging them to safety. 
     When he couldn't drag them, he dug shallow trenches to shield 
     them from enemy fire. As Chinese forces closed in, Kapaun 
     rejected several chances to escape, instead volunteering to 
     stay behind and care for the wounded. He was taken as a 
     prisoner of war by Chinese forces on Nov. 2, 1950. After he 
     was captured, Kapaun and other prisoners were marched for 
     several days northward toward prisoner-of-war camps. During 
     the march Kapaun led by example in caring for injured 
     Soldiers, refusing to take a break from carrying the 
     stretchers of the wounded while encouraging others to do 
     their part. Once inside the dismal prison camps, Kapaun 
     risked his life by sneaking around the camp after dark, 
     foraging for food, caring for the sick, and encouraging his 
     fellow Soldiers to sustain their faith and their humanity. On 
     at least one occasion, he was brutally punished for his 
     disobedience, being forced to sit outside in subzero weather 
     without any garments. When the Chinese instituted a mandatory 
     re-education program, Kapaun patiently and politely rejected 
     every theory put forth by the instructors. Later, Kapaun 
     openly flouted his captors by conducting a sunrise service on 
     Easter morning, 1951. When Kapaun began to suffer from the 
     physical toll of his captivity, the Chinese transferred him 
     to a filthy, unheated hospital where he died alone. As he was 
     being carried to the hospital, he asked God's forgiveness for 
     his captors, and made his fellow prisoners promise to keep 
     their faith. Chaplain Kapaun died in captivity on May 23, 
     1951.

  As Chaplain Kapaun's compelling leadership and powerful story 
attests, our chaplains are vital to the wellbeing and morale of our 
troops--especially in the face of possible injury and death. The 
chaplaincy has endured for over two hundred years because of the 
singular and widespread recognition of its unique role in the defense 
and support of our nation. It is essential to ensure that those brave 
men and women who live out their promise to protect our sacred freedoms 
and guard our religious heritage are paid the proper respect. Rest 
assured, as long as I have a voice in Congress, I will continue to 
defend and protect the religious freedom of those who served and still 
serve our nation in the Armed Forces.

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