[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 7, 2005)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1145] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] PENTAGON MEMORIAL FUND ______ HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ of texas in the house of representatives Tuesday, June 7, 2005 Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer the thanks of this body to a democratic friend, Taiwan, the Republic of China, for their recent generous gift to the Pentagon Memorial Fund. 9-11 scarred our souls and forever changed the way we view enemy attack and the security of our Nation. The Pentagon is known globally as the place our military policy is created and recommended for implementation. It is a prominent part of the government commanded by the Chief Executive and maintained by the United States Congress. The targeted component of the surprise coordinated attack there shocked and appalled the civilized nations and people on the planet. This Nation lost 184 souls across the river on that day. The sight of smoke coming from the Pentagon is a picture seared in my memory from that day, seen as I ran out of the U.S. Capitol. Part of the salve applied to our national injury is in honoring the memory of the 184 men and women who perished on 9-11. So, as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I thank Taiwan for their part in helping to immortalize their memory by contributing to the Pentagon Memorial Fund. And I ask unanimous consent to include in the Record the Washington Post story announcing the generous contribution. [From the Washington Post, May 5, 2005] Taiwan Aids Pentagon Memorial Fund The government of Taiwan has donated $1 million to the Pentagon Memorial Fund, according to James L. Laychak, the fund's president and chief executive. About $6.5 million has been raised to finance the memorial, which is to be built with private funds. Families of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the Pentagon began a fundraising drive in April 2004 with a goal of $30 million--$20 million for construction and $10 million for a maintenance fund. Taiwan's gift is the second for $1 million; the first came from the Anheuser-Busch Foundation. ``The donation does not simply represent our offering of support for the victims of 9-11,'' said David Tawei Lee, a government representative, in a prepared statement, ``but also express our appreciation for the symbols of freedom.'' The memorial on the Pentagon's west lawn will have 184 cantilevered benches, one in memory of each of the victims of the terrorist attack. ____________________