[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 816 Introduced in House (IH)]
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114th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 816
Expressing support for the designation of August 16, 2016, as
``National Airborne Day''.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 8, 2016
Mr. Gibson (for himself, Mr. Woodall, Mrs. Ellmers of North Carolina,
Mr. Walz, Ms. Gabbard, and Mr. Hudson) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of August 16, 2016, as
``National Airborne Day''.
Whereas the members of the airborne forces of the Armed Forces of the United
States have a long and honorable history as bold and fierce warriors
who, for the national security of the United States and the defense of
freedom and peace, project the ground combat power of the United States
by air transport to the far reaches of the battle area and to the far
corners of the world;
Whereas the experiment of the United States with airborne operations began on
June 25, 1940, when the Army Parachute Test Platoon was first authorized
by the Department of War, and 48 volunteers began training in July 1940;
Whereas August 16 marks the anniversary of the first official Army parachute
jump, which took place on August 16, 1940, to test the innovative
concept of inserting United States ground combat forces behind a battle
line by means of a 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 validated the
airborne operational concept and led to the creation of a formidable
force of airborne formations that included the 11th, 13th, 17th, 82nd,
and 101st Airborne Divisions;
Whereas included in those divisions and among other separate formations were
many airborne combat, combat support, and combat service support units
that served with distinction and achieved repeated success in armed
hostilities during World War II;
Whereas the achievements of the airborne units during World War II prompted the
evolution of those units 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 of September 11, 2001, the members of the
United States airborne forces, including members of the XVIII Airborne
Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, the 101st Airborne Division, the
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, the 4th Brigade Combat Team
(Airborne) of the 25th Infantry Division, the 75th Ranger Regiment,
special operations forces of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air
Force, and other units of the Armed Forces, have demonstrated bravery
and honor in combat, stability, and training operations in Afghanistan,
Iraq, and elsewhere across the globe in fighting the Global War on
Terror;
Whereas airborne forces have been a key component of United States efforts to
train, assist, and reassure American allies and partners in the Pacific,
the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe, where increased
aggression and expansionist policies by the People's Republic of China,
the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea,
and the Russian Federation have all threatened to bring violence to and
further destabilize these regions;
Whereas the modern-day airborne forces also include other elite forces composed
of airborne trained and qualified special operations warriors, including
Army Special Forces, Marine Corps Reconnaissance units, Navy SEALs, and
Air Force combat control and pararescue teams;
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, or other decorations and
awards for displays of 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 the
special skills and achievements of those members, distinguishes the
members as intrepid combat parachutists, air assault forces, special
operation forces, and, in the past, glider troops;
Whereas individuals from every State of the United States have served gallantly
in the airborne forces, and each State is proud of the contributions of
its paratrooper veterans during the many conflicts faced by the United
States;
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 forces, past and present, celebrate August 16 as the
anniversary of the first official jump by the Army Parachute Test
Platoon, August 16 is an appropriate day to recognize as National
Airborne Day: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports designation of ``National Airborne Day'';
(2) recognizes the ongoing efforts of the Senate to
designate ``National Airborne Day''; and
(3) calls on the people of the United States to observe
``National Airborne Day'', if designated, with appropriate
programs, ceremonies, and activities.
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