[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 7] [House] [Pages 9622-9624] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]NATIONAL MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 334) supporting the goals and objectives of a National Military Appreciation Month, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution. The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows: H. Con. Res. 334 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 ``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 gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California. General Leave Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from California? There was no objection. Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Representing the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I rise to join my colleagues in the consideration of H. Con. Res. 334, as amended, a resolution supporting the goals and objectives of National Military Appreciation Month, which, for the past 10 years, has been recognized in the month of May. Initially created by an act of Congress back in 1999, the National Military Appreciation Month provides each and every one of us an opportunity to acknowledge and honor the heroic men and women who have served and are now serving in our country's Armed Forces. The bill before us was introduced on April 24, 2008, by Congressman Christopher Shays of Connecticut. And while cosponsored by only 60 Members of Congress, I am sure that each and every member of this body stands in support and admiration of the thousands of men and women serving in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. [[Page 9623]] The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform amended and reported the bill favorably by voice vote on May 15, 2008, and today we now have a chance to move the bill one step closer to enactment. Mr. Speaker, let us join with citizens across America in showing our appreciation for the service and sacrifice these brave men and women display in order to provide for the defense and the protection of our great country. In particular, let us show our gratitude to those currently serving abroad in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other pockets of the world, and to the families that stand by and support their loved ones during deployment in times of war. The passage of H. Con. Res. 334 will send a strong message to our troops and veterans that we honor, respect, and appreciate their dedication to the liberties and freedoms we as Americans hold so dear. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the goals and the objectives of National Military Appreciation Month by voting in favor of H. Con. Res. 334. I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this important resolution, and yield myself such time that I may consume. This year marks the 10th anniversary of National Military Appreciation Month, which was first passed on May 1999. I might note that in May 1999, perhaps the reason for the Congress seeing fit to have a National Appreciation Month for our military was that in fact we were in a time of comparative peace. We were at a time in which we wanted to let our military know that we appreciated them standing guard in peacetime as well as in war. For the last 7 years, though, we have been at war. Our troops have been deployed in Afghanistan since shortly after the September 11 attack on our Nation. In fact, this last weekend, as part of the Military Appreciation Month, I was in Oceanside in my own district where 44,000 Marines reside at Camp Pendleton. Except they don't get to reside at Camp Pendleton; they are on their third and fourth deployments throughout that region. I didn't just thank the senior NCOs and the officers, who I appreciate their continued service because they have stayed in and reenlisted during this time of war, but I also thanked the incredible amount of young men and women and their families who showed up and who in fact joined after this war began, and many of them after this war had been going for many, many years. It is in fact our military that is with us in good times and bad. They stay with us in the worst of times. They also enlist in the hardest of times. Many people would say I never voted for this war. I wouldn't vote for this war. This war is wrong. Men and women of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard don't say whether the war is right or wrong. They make a statement about whether America is right or wrong. In their eyes, and in my eyes, America is right. We have a process which we observe in order to ensure that we do not easily go into war, we do not easily send our troops into harm's way. However, our men and women are in harm's way today. And for this month, like every day that we are at war, we should honor our men and women in uniform. We should make that extra effort to try to do what we can for those returning home and for those who remain behind, the families, the children, the husbands, the wives, making sure that every day they are taken care of, that their special needs, because of the absence of the loved one, are observed. And when they come home, they don't come home from the first deployment, the parade is not as easy to recognize; they don't come home from the last deployment. It is not so easy to say, we are coming home for good. So I urge my colleagues and I urge all of America to think about the appreciation we can show year round to in fact realize that a parade is just as important to a troop who has come home from their third deployment. Recognition, a picnic, or some other way of saying we care about your continued service, is just as important in the sixth and seventh year of a struggle that could in fact go on for many years in order to bring freedom and a way of life that is acceptable to the people of Afghanistan and Iraq and other countries throughout the world. Today we can recognize where our men and women are fighting, but we don't often recognize where they are standing so that we don't have to fight. And I would like to close by recognizing the men and women who are in the Sudan, who are in fact trying to do what they can in Africa for some very troubled spots in which we don't recognize it as our fighting but we certainly have to recognize that we are trying to make a difference for those people who in their struggles every day realize that they are at war. I join with the gentlelady from California in urging the support for this resolution. I join with the gentleman from Connecticut in recognizing that every day, every month, should be National Military Recognition Month. Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 334, which expresses support for National Military Appreciation Month. I introduced this resolution to pay tribute to the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. This May is the 10th National Military Appreciation Month. As we approach Memorial Day, I believe it is an appropriate time to thank our service men and women for their service to our country. The men and women who serve our country and defend freedom deserve to be treated with nothing less than the highest level of dignity and respect. Our country is at war and the brave men and women of our military deserve the full support of every American. We need to provide them with every resource they will need in the difficult months and years to come, starting with our gratitude and respect. I am grateful for this resolution being brought to the floor, and support its adoption. Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in support of H. Con. Res. 334, honoring the Armed Forces of the United States of America during ``National Military Appreciation Month.'' During this month, we Americans honor and recognize all the military members who serve and have given their lives in defense of the freedoms we enjoy today. This bill recognizes those on active duty in all branches of service, the National Guard and Reserves, retirees, veterans, and all of their families. We must continue to impress upon our children and grandchildren the sacrifices that our armed services have provided this country. We must be diligent in reminding all Americans, young and old, that the price of freedom is paid for everyday, through the blood, sweat and tears of our brave men and women of the Armed Forces and the sacrifices made by their family members. Additionally, our Education System has the duty and the responsibility to continue to highlight the historical impact of the military throughout the last 230 years. Americans must never forget the historical impact of the military in United States history and the role they played in ensuring the American way of life. Events like the American Revolution, the Civil War, Pearl Harbor, Normandy, and World War I and II, must always be remembered for the important role they played in making the United States of America the greatest country in the world. Finally, while we understand and praise the personal sacrifices our brave men and women make in defending our great Nation, we frequently forget that duty is a 24-7, 365-day commitment for the soldiers and their families. As we continue our Global War on Terror, military members of the Armed Forces will continue to shoulder the burden of freedom and independence. A month-long dedication to their tireless efforts is the cast we can do as Americans. Americans, during the National Military Appreciation Month, should go out of their way to shake the hand of a military member, say a special thank-you, and continually pray for our soldiers and their families. The Armed Forces of the United States of America continue to play a vital role in the defense of this country. Their contributions and sacrifices have not gone unnoticed and designating May as National Military Appreciation Month is a perfect opportunity for us as a Nation to pay great tribute to their tremendous sacrifices. I encourage my colleagues to support this important resolution and am pleased that today the House recognizes the valuable contributions of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Mr. ISSA. I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. [[Page 9624]] The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 334, as amended. 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. ISSA. 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. ____________________