Congressional Record—House H1034

H1034 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 9, 2005 Honor—more than in any other battle in his- for 31 more days until the last pocket of resist- tions of the United States Marine Corps and tory—13 of them posthumously. ance was eliminated on March 25. other units of the United States Armed Forces Madam Speaker, the bravery demonstrated More than 70,000 Marines participated in on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the on Iwo Jima has become the standard to the invasion of Iwo Jima. Before the battle Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. Truly, which all Marines now aspire when in combat. ended 17,372 Marines were wounded and this great battle served as a watershed mo- The battle has come to define a Corps with a 5,931 Marines made the ultimate sacrifice in ment for the United States in World War II. rich tradition and colorful history. It underlies defense of freedom in securing the Allied vic- After capturing Iwo Jima, the United States the Marine Corps’ core values of honor, cour- tory. Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz said, Armed Forces were able to have a staging age and commitment. ‘‘Among the men who fought at Iwo Jima, un- ground for the aerial assault that would help Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of common valor was a common virtue.’’ Our Na- defeat the Japanese Empire. However, this this resolution. tion owes each of the men who fought and great victory did not come without great sac- Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to died at Iwo Jima its deepest gratitude. rifice. More than 70,000 Marines participated pay tribute to the American patriots who Madam Speaker, I am proud to represent in the Battle of Iwo Jima, 17,372 Marines were fought bravely and triumphantly in one of the the fine Marines of Marine Corps Camp Pen- wounded and 5,931 Marines made the ulti- most iconic battles in our Nation’s history. dleton. I am privileged to serve these excep- mate sacrifice for this Nation in this decisive Sixty years ago, thousands of men left their tional Americans every day and to have the battle in war, the likes of which the world had homes and families to fight for our security, opportunity to continuously witness their self- never before seen. liberty, and democracy. They fought, not be- less service and constant devotion to our na- Today in this body we take the time to rec- cause they had to, but because they chose tion. In 3 days Members of this body will travel ognize those who fought in the Battle of Iwo to—choosing to confront an enemy they could to Iwo Jima to participate in the formal com- Jima and indeed all Americans who fought in not see, in a place they did not know. memoration of the battle and of the example World War II. It was Edmund Burke who once Over 450 Navy ships unloaded 75,000 of courage and determination set by those aptly stated: ‘‘The only thing necessary for the American soldiers onto the tiny Pacific island who fought there, which Marines today strive triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.’’ of Iwo Jima and faced a blistering assault from ever to follow. As we gather in that solemn The birth of our Nation itself was due to good an entrenched and virtually invisible Japanese place to reflect on the immense sacrifices men who refused to submit to an unjust rule; army. made there, the House, by passing this reso- and it is that same spirit that guided those Despite the massive geographical advan- lution will have done its part to honor our na- who fought in World War II. It has been said tage of the Japanese and the loss of almost tion’s commitment to those Marines never to that the generation that came back from fight- 2,500 soldiers on the first day alone, our sol- forget the value of their sacrifices. I urge the ing World War II was in fact the ‘greatest gen- diers marched fearlessly forward to meet their adoption of this resolution. eration’ and I would be hard pressed to dis- hidden enemy. Mr. DREIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today agree. Our brave soldiers went across the After 36 day’s, victory was in hand but not in strong support of H. Res. 119, a bill to rec- world to far away places like Iwo Jima to save before 7,000 Americans and 20,000 Japanese ognize the contributions of the United States massacred peoples; they had no choice but were killed. Marine Corps and other units of the United victory. Even now, we look back in pain and This image of victory over adversity is in- States Armed Forces on the 60th Anniversary imagine the horror that could have been had grained in our history through the symbolic, of the Battle of Iwo Jima. By capturing this iso- they not been successful. They came back yet evocative image of six American service- lated, eight square mile island in the Pacific, from this truly global war and raised a new men planting a salvaged American flag on top the men and women of our Armed Forces en- generation of Americans. They created the of Mount Suribachi in Iwo Jima. sured victory in World War II. U.S. control of greatest middle-class ever seen in the history Though the battle lasted twice as long as Iwo Jima removed the island as a staging of the world. Their domestic success ensured expected, the commitment of our men and ground for kamikaze attacks, ensured that B– a great future for our Nation, their success women in uniform to the ideals of freedom and 29 bombers would continue to fly missions to abroad ensured life and liberty for millions peace never wavered. Their steadfast belief in mainland Japan and allowed U.S. planes trav- around the world. themselves and our Nation remains a beacon eling in the Pacific to use the island for emer- The great memory of Iwo Jima is best per- of selflessness and sacrifice for all Americans. gency landings. sonified by the picture of six American soldiers For those who still defend our country and Despite facing 22,000 Japanese soldiers raising our national flag amidst this great bat- those who fight for the principles upon which hidden in bunkers inside the hills of Iwo Jima, tle. The picture personified the American spirit this Nation was founded, the men and women American soldiers successfully charged in World War II, we struggled against a power- of Iwo Jima provide an opportunity for hope. through miles of open space to capture control ful opponent, but we persevered and did not Their actions will forever stir our hearts and of the island in a little more than a month. succumb under the relentless pressure. In the rouse our belief in the human spirit. It is be- Their sacrifices were many. Nearly one in end, we won the Battle of Iwo Jima and World cause of this that we will always be thankful three men were killed or wounded, making the War II, solely through the sacrifice and great to the soldiers of Iwo Jima. Battle of Iwo Jima the source of one-third of courage of our American Armed Forces. We Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, as 2005 marks all Marine deaths in World War II. In fact, owe them our appreciation and we owe it to the sixtieth year since the battle of Iwo Jima, three of the six men who famously raised the them to keep the memory of their heroic ac- it is appropriate that the House take this op- American flag over Mt. Suribachi died during tions alive for future generations of Americans. portunity to recognize the sacrifice of the Ma- the Battle. Yet Iwo Jima’s survivors often re- Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I yield rines who fought and died in that great battle. fused to acknowledge their heroic service, back the balance of my time. Winning the battle of Iwo Jima was among often citing the friends who died beside them The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. the most significant victories of the U.S. Ma- as the only heroes of the battle. MILLER of Michigan). The question is rines during World War II. In the Pacific, Iwo Admiral Chester W. Nimitz commented in on the motion offered by the gen- Jima was the critical air base from which Ja- 1945 that ‘‘by their victory, the 3rd, 4th and tleman from Minnesota (Mr. KLINE) pan’s fighters prevented American bombers 5th Marine Divisions and other units of the that the House suspend the rules and from reaching their targets in mainland Japan. Fifth Amphibious Corps have made an ac- agree to the resolution, H. Res. 119. Because Japanese commanders understood counting to their country which only history will The question was taken; and (two- the strategic importance of defending the is- be able to value fully.’’ Sixty years later, the thirds having voted in favor thereof) land, it was protected by more than six hun- United States remains free, Japan is now one the rules were suspended and the reso- dred blockhouses, pillboxes and gun positions. of our closest allies and the grandsons and lution was agreed to. For the Japanese, Allied control of Iwo Jima granddaughters of those who served at Iwo A motion to reconsider was laid on meant allowing the enemy a base from which Jima are again defending freedom abroad with the table.

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