[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7] [House] [Pages 9282-9285] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]RECOGNIZING AND HONORING MEMBERS OF ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1385) recognizing and honoring the courage and sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 1385 Whereas May is commonly known as National Military Appreciation Month; Whereas during World War I, more than 4,700,000 Americans served in the military, more than 116,000 Americans lost their lives, and more than 204,000 Americans were wounded; Whereas only one American World War I veteran, Frank Woodruff Buckles, survives today; Whereas during World War II, more than 16,000,000 Americans served in the military, more than 405,000 Americans lost their lives, and more than 670,000 Americans were wounded, and today more than 74,000 Americans remain unaccounted for; Whereas during the Korean War, more than 5,700,000 Americans served in the military, more than 36,000 Americans lost their lives, and more than 103,000 Americans were wounded, and today 8,026 Americans remain unaccounted for; Whereas during the Vietnam War, more than 3,400,000 Americans served in the military, more than 58,000 Americans lost their lives, and more than 150,000 Americans were wounded, and today 1,720 Americans remain unaccounted for; Whereas during the Persian Gulf War, more than 2,200,000 Americans served in the military, 383 Americans lost their lives, and 467 Americans were wounded; Whereas since 2001, more than 1,000 Americans have lost their lives and more than 5,500 Americans have been wounded in Operation Enduring Freedom; Whereas since 2003, more than 4,300 Americans have lost their lives and more than 31,000 Americans have been wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom; Whereas members of the Armed Forces answer the call to serve the United States, leaving their homes, their families, and American soil, in times of war and peace; Whereas members of the Armed Forces respond to acts of aggression against the United States and its allies, protect and evacuate civilians, bring stability to areas experiencing political turmoil, and provide comfort and support in the wake of natural disasters; Whereas members of the Armed Forces have served the United States in hundreds of deployments, large and small, since the earliest days of the United States; and Whereas all Americans, and many hundreds of millions of people around the world, owe their freedom to the courage, service, and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces and veterans: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) recognizes and honors the courage and sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and veterans and thanks such members and veterans for their service; and (2) urges all Americans to recognize and honor the courage and sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and veterans and thank such members and veterans for their service. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) and the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri. General Leave Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Missouri? There was no objection. Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, May is Military Appreciation Month; and to honor our men and women and uniform and our veterans, I, along with my good friend and ranking member from California (Mr. McKeon), have introduced H. Res. 1385. Mr. Speaker, I grew up around veterans of the First World War. My father served in the Navy onboard the U.S.S. Missouri in that conflict; and he, like so many young men who returned from that war, became the civic and political leaders of their day. Tom Brokaw wrote a best-selling book entitled, ``The Greatest Generation,'' the saga of those who fought the two-front Second World War. These veterans changed the complexion of our country in every walk of life. Their experiences in war, sometimes on the battlefield, instilled in them tremendous confidence and a sense of duty and, like the generation of war veterans before them, the World War I veterans, returned to hometowns across America, large and small, to become leaders in their communities. In 1950, President Harry S. Truman ordered U.S. military intervention on the Korean peninsula. In many respects, our participation in the Korean conflict has served as a model for the way our military operates today. Korea was the first multilateral United Nations operation, and it has become the longest standing peacekeeping operation in modern times. While we are inclined to remember the leaders who ultimately brought us victory in the Korean War--Truman, MacArthur, Acheson, Walker, and Ridgeway--it's really the men and women who served so bravely to whom we pay tribute. The need to contain the spread of communism brought U.S. servicemembers to a small country in Southeast Asia called Vietnam. It was 1964 when Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin resolution and 1973 before the last U.S. combat troops left Vietnam. Much is owed to the men and women who served in that conflict, and it must be remembered that those who fought and died in service to the United States in Southeast Asia are owed the appreciation of a grateful Nation, even though so many did not receive the welcome home that they deserved. The Persian Gulf War was a tremendous display of U.S. military technology, but what must not be forgotten is that the swift end to combat operations was the result of a sound strategy and the ability of U.S. service personnel to carry out that strategy. And of course today our men and women in uniform are engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan. I predict those returning from these conflicts will be another great generation. Rising from the sands of the Middle East, these veterans, who have toiled and fought there to bring peace and civilization back to those two beleaguered countries, are truly America's future. In addition to large-scale conflicts, U.S. military forces have been involved in far more small-scale contingency operations. In each instance, in numbers both large and small, the men and women of the United States' armed services have answered the Nation's call. So let us remember the importance of those who wore the uniform and [[Page 9283]] those who wear it today. They have served this Nation, and now we must do right by them in Congress, in our communities, and in our everyday lives. Today, we honor their courage and their sacrifice, and to all of them we say thank you. House of Representatives, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC, May 21, 2010. Hon. Ike Skelton, Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, Rayburn Building, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Skelton: On May 20, 2010, H. Res. 1385, recognizing and honoring the courage and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces and veterans was introduced in the House of Representatives. This measure was sequentially referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The Committee on Veterans' Affairs recognizes the importance of H. Res. 1385 and the need to move this resolution expeditiously in order to honor the courage and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces and veterans. Therefore, while we have valid jurisdictional claims to this resolution, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs will waive further consideration of H. Res. 1385. The Committee does so with the understanding that by waiving further consideration of this resolution it does not waive any future jurisdictional claims over similar measures. I would appreciate the inclusion of this letter and a copy of your response in the Congressional Record during consideration of H. Res. 1385 on the House floor. Sincerely, Bob Filner, Chairman. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Armed Services, Washington, DC, May 24, 2010. Hon. Bob Filner, Chairman, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding House Resolution 1385, ``Recognizing and honoring the courage and sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and for other purposes.'' This measure was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. I agree that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs has certain valid jurisdictional claims to this resolution, and I appreciate your decision to waive further consideration of H. Res. 1385 in the interest of expediting consideration of this important measure. I agree that by agreeing to waive further consideration, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs is not waiving its jurisdictional claims over similar measures in the future. During consideration of this measure on the House floor, I will ask that this exchange of letters be included in the Congressional Record. Very truly yours, Ike Skelton, Chairman Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for introducing this resolution honoring those who have served in the Armed Forces and for honoring me to be a cosponsor with him in that legislation. Mr. Speaker, next week is Memorial Day, and I rise today in support of House Resolution 1385 to recognize and honor the courage and sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and the veterans of our wars. In the clearly defined wars against tyranny, in the controversial conflicts not appreciated until the guns long fell silent, in the limited actions unknown by anyone not there, the American Armed Forces have time and again answered the call of duty. When our fighting men and women put on their uniforms, they became immune to politics and marched towards the sound of the guns, going wherever their orders sent them. We call them specialist, corporal, airman, and petty officer. They are our own children. These young Americans represent the best in all of us because, while America will always fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, it is their faces that America sends to the aid of the broken, wounded, and starving of the world. In the cold winter of Valley Forge, across the deserts to Tripoli, fighting against their brothers in the Civil War, across the wheat fields of France, on the beaches of Normandy, in the freezing Korean winter, in the jungles of Vietnam, and in the burning sands of Iraq and Afghanistan, what has set our Armed Forces apart is their commitment to a moral war, a just war, an American way of war. Americans make the distinction between our enemies and the innocent bystanders. And once our enemies lay down their arms, our forces provide them food, shelter, and medical aid. And when the fighting stops completely, our forces help to rebuild war-torn nations, turning bitter enemies into great industrialized allies of today. Since 1775, and across the world today, our Armed Forces and veterans symbolize all that is best in us as Americans. The American Armed Forces are just as eager to help feed and clothe the survivors of a natural disaster as they are to destroy tyranny and oppression. People across the globe know that when the Americans come they will fight for what is right, and those who rule by fear will then be afraid. In the most difficult conditions, in the most challenging terrain, against the greatest odds, our Armed Forces have faced impossible odds without counting the cost to themselves. They have followed their orders, and the oath sworn to our Constitution makes the moral foundation of our government possible. Since before the acknowledgement of our Nation's sovereignty and before the first session of this great legislative body, our citizens organized themselves to fight against oppression and to stand up for freedom and liberty. When the drums beat, when the bugles called, the sound of marching feet was the pride of our Nation answering the call. Whether our veterans were drafted or volunteered, made long service careers or served only for a short time, they committed their lives, their youth, and their health to the principles of our great Nation. In no other industry of America today will you find a group of young men and women for whom truth is the only currency, pain is a temporary annoyance, ingenuity is the answer to all challenges, and teamwork is the thread that unites and binds them against all foes. {time} 1630 They have done all this without counting the cost to themselves and their families. We, who are a grateful Nation, must remember this. Our freedom is a tangible thing, a perishable thing, and our own last full measure of devotion must be dedicated to ensuring that their sacrifice is never in vain but that a more perfect union will yet rise and inspire the oppressed peoples of the Earth. I urge the House to join me in passing this resolution to honor our Armed Forces. Mr. Speaker, at this time, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson). Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1385, to recognize and honor the courage and sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and of the veterans of our wars. Next week, we will be celebrating Memorial Day, and it is fitting that we take time to remember all those who have served this Nation in uniform so honorably and selflessly. I look forward to being with the Navy League of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, at the Veterans Memorial Park next Monday. Last year, I was inspired to be with fellow members of the American Legion in Hampton, South Carolina. We stand here today enjoying the fruits of freedom because good men and women from the Revolutionary War to present day have put the support of America and the ideals for which she stands above personal desires and preferences. While estimates vary, it is certain that more than 1 million Americans have died in defense of this Nation. You may have known some of them. If you did, you should count yourself among the privileged. I hope you were as touched by their sacrifices as I have been by those I have known, people like Marine Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Trane McCloud--a military fellow in [[Page 9284]] the congressional office I represent. He was killed in Iraq on December 3, 2006. To Lieutenant Colonel Trane McCloud and to so many others like him over the years of our history, we owe so much. It is a debt that we can never really repay to extraordinary military families and widows, such as Maggie McCloud. The only way I know how to even begin to express our thanks is to continue to support to the fullest extent possible those who now serve, to step forward and to publicly acknowledge their dedication and sacrifices for America. We should recognize and be grateful that, due to the sacrifices of American servicemembers, there is a broader spread of democracy and freedom today than in the history of the world, with dozens of new democracies, upon the defeat of Communism in the Cold War, from Poland to Mongolia and Bulgaria to Cambodia. Iraq and Afghanistan have been liberated from totalitarian despots in the global war on terrorism. That's why what we are doing in this resolution and what we will do next week on Memorial Day is so important. As the son of a World War II Flying Tiger who served in China, as a 31-year veteran of the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard, and as one with four sons currently serving in the military, I especially appreciate military service. I want to thank Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton and Ranking Member Buck McKeon for cosponsoring this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support it. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11th. Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, Hector Polla graduated from West Point in June of 1941. After the infantry officers' basic course in Fort Benning, Georgia, he was assigned to his first military assignment--the Philippines. It was on December 8, Philippine time, that the Philippines were invaded by the Japanese. Hector Polla helped defend the Peninsula of Bataan, receiving a commendation for heroism, a Silver Star for his actions, in February of 1942. In April, he, along with the other American forces, surrendered. He survived the death march on the way to Cabanatuan prison camp, and he was kept there over the years. In December 1944, he was put aboard a Japanese ship to be taken to Japan to do slave labor. American bombers bombed that ship, and he survived. On January 19, 1945, he was again placed on a Japanese ship to go to Japan to do slave labor. The American bombers bombed that ship, and Hector Polla died as a result of the wounds received. There are others throughout that war who saw that battle--the combat, the deprivation. Yet, at the end of the day, the American forces did well in that sector of the Asia-Pacific and also in Europe. So many of them came home and became leaders in the community--in the businesses, in the churches, in the civic organizations, in politics. Today, we are the recipients of what they have done. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) for his words and for his cosponsorship of this resolution. It is important that we as a Congress express our appreciation for those who served, not just in the Second World War, but in all of the wars down through and including today. I hope that we will recognize them when we see them at the airports or on the streets or in the coffee shops or in church so we can just say ``thank you'' to them. That's what this resolution does. It expresses appreciation. After all, it was the sister of a great Roman orator who once said that gratitude is the greatest of all virtues. This is our opportunity as a Congress to say we are grateful for those men and women who have worn the uniform. We are proud of them and we thank them. I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, listening to the chairman relate that story made me think of an experience I had last week at home. We had an event that was held by our community, honoring those who served. At that event, I met again the parents of a young man who was killed a few weeks ago, from our home. It was a Filipino family who had a son and two daughters. Their son, Ian Gelig, was killed in Afghanistan, just as I said, a few weeks ago. They came to this gathering from the cemetery, which is where they go on a daily basis to visit their son. We had another family there who had lost their son in Iraq a few years ago, and this family has kind of befriended the parents of other young people who have lost their lives since then. They go to all of the funerals, and they have become strong advocates, reaching out to help the other families. They feel good about what their sons have done. They hate the fact that they have lost their sons, but they feel proud of what they have done and feel like their sons did what they wanted to do. I had the experience today of meeting a young midshipman. He will be graduating Friday from the Naval Academy. He is planning on becoming a SEAL. He has been learning Arabic, and he is looking forward to having an exciting career in the Navy. You know, seeing these young people and seeing the light in their lives and what their plans are makes one think of others, as the chairman talked about--of the young man who graduated from West Point, who lost his life. He had that same light in his life, and I'm sure he felt like what he was doing, the sacrifice he'd made for our country, was worthwhile. It is up to us to remember those sacrifices and, as Mr. Wilson said, to never forget 9/11 and to never forget the service of all of these young people since the birth of our great Nation. I would ask that all of our colleagues support this resolution. Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1385, to recognize and honor the courage and sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and veterans for their service to the people of the United States. First I want to thank Chairman Ike Skelton, and Ranking Member Howard ``Buck'' McKeon, of the Armed Services Committee, for their leadership and for championing the cause of our military men and women and our veterans. In this month of May known as National Military Appreciation Month, it is important to take time from our busy schedule to recognize and celebrate the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces and veterans, and again I commend Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member McKeon for introducing this resolution. Mr. Speaker, as a Vietnam veteran, I want to thank all members of the Armed Forces and veterans for their service to this great nation. I especially want to recognize the service and sacrifice made by the sons and daughters of American Samoa to protect this great nation. I am most proud to state for the record that American Samoa's sons and daughters have served in record number in every U.S. military engagement from WWII to the present. Indeed, located some 3000 miles from Hawaii, the American Samoa reserve unit is under the only remaining infantry unit of the U.S. Army Reserve, the 100th battalion of the 442nd Infantry Regiment, or the ``Purple Heart Battalion'' based at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. As a true testament to the sacrifice made by our brave warriors from American Samoa, I am always reminded of retired Command Sergeant Major Falaniko and his late son Private Jonathan I. Falaniko. PVT Falaniko attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, in May 2003 and was later deployed to Iraq in August 2003. He was then assigned to the 70th Engineer Battalion under the 1st Armored Division, Engineers Brigade of which his father, CSM Ioakimo Falaniko, was the Command Sergeant Major of the brigade and was the most senior enlisted soldier. On October 27, 2003 PVT Falaniko was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade attack. Twenty-year-old Jonathan Falaniko had been in the U.S. Army for less than 6 months. He was laid to rest with all the other brave men and women that have served this great nation, at the National Cemetery in Arlington. Jonathan's story is only one of thousands of the many Americans who have given the ultimate sacrifice for this great nation. Mr. Speaker, it is customary in the Samoan culture to recognize great deeds and exceptional feats in speeches, songs and storytelling so that they are memorialized and imbedded in the hearts and minds of generations to come. Therefore, I rise today with great honor in support of H. Res. 1385 to recognize the service and courage of all our servicemen and [[Page 9285]] women and veterans. Let us honor their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice so much to bring about peace and freedom in a troubled world. To our veterans and current service members, and especially to American Samoa's Reserve unit scattered throughout the Middle East, I would like to close by saying how honored and proud I am of your service to this great nation and I commend you for your courage. May God bless you and may God continue to bless the United States of America. I strongly urge my fellow colleagues to pass this resolution. Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the courage and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces and our Veterans. May is National Military Appreciation Month, a tine when we honor the bravery and service of our Armed Forces, veterans, and their families. Members of our Armed Forces leave behind their homes, families, and jobs in times when duty calls. They protect America and American Allies, provide support in times of disasters, and help bringing stability to areas of unrest. From my time as a psychiatric nurse in the Dallas Veterans Affair's Hospital, I know firsthand the burden placed upon those who serve in our Armed Forces. People around the world owe their freedoms and liberties to the courage, service, and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces. I urge all Americans to recognize and honor the courage and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform and thank them for their service. Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1385, which recognizes the courage and sacrifice of our veterans and members of the Armed Forces, and urges all Americans to honor their brave service. This important resolution expresses our national gratitude for the willingness of our men and women in uniform, past and present, to risk their lives on our behalf. I thank Chairman Skelton for his leadership in bringing this resolution to the floor. I also thank the Congressman for sponsoring this legislation and for his dedication to ensuring that this Nation does everything it can to repay our veterans and members of the Armed Services for the sacrifices they have made to protect us and the values that we cherish as American citizens. Mr. Speaker, throughout our history, the members of our Armed Forces have endured hardship and suffering--many of them making the ultimate sacrifice--on behalf of our Nation. Time and again, they have answered the call to serve the United States, leaving their homes, their families, and American soil, in times of war and peace. From World Wars I and II to the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm, our men and women in uniform have fought valiantly to protect American citizens and promote global security. Since the tragic attacks of September 11, 2001, the Armed Forces have served with an inspirational sense of duty and country. Since 2001, more than 1,000 Americans have lost their lives and more than 5,500 Americans have been wounded in the Operation Enduring Freedom. Since 2003, over 4,300 servicemen and servicewomen have sacrificed their lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom. More than 31,000 Americans have returned from this conflict wounded or with disabilities. California has lost nearly 600 servicemen and servicewomen in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom; two of these brave individuals came from my district. Almost 4,000 men and women from California have been wounded in these conflicts. I am forever grateful for these sacrifices and for the dedication of our Armed Forces to ensure the safety of the American people at a time when our Nation faces challenging new threats from abroad. These brave men and women have assumed the responsibility of protecting us; we, then, have a solemn obligation to them. We must always provide the members of our Armed Forces with the resources, supplies, and equipment they need to carry out their mission as safely and successfully as possible. We must work hard to support our veterans who return home from overseas, serving their needs with the same vigor and sense of duty that they displayed in serving our country. As the representative of a district that is home to over 24,000 veterans and the VA Medical Center of Long Beach, I know how important it is to ensure that our veterans have access to affordable health care, housing, and job opportunities. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1385. Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in strong support for H. Res. 1385 to recognize and honor the courage and sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and veterans. Though we appreciate their sacrifice every month, it is important this resolution is passed this month as May is expressly designated National Military Appreciation Month. We can never say ``thank you'' enough for the sacrifices paid by the Nation's military. The liberties we enjoy today were earned through the bravery and sacrifice of ordinary Americans with extraordinary selflessness. America must never turn her back on her service members and veterans. We know all too well that freedom is not free. They courageously stepped forward to protect and defend the Constitution and the people of the United States. This resolution is just a small tribute to the great character of all our military service members and veterans. I urge all my colleagues to join with me in supporting H. Res. 1385 and thanking current and former servicemembers for guaranteeing our freedom. Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1385. 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. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. 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. ____________________