S13334 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 18, 2005 By providing this desperately needed TRIBUTE TO MR. BEN this Nation. Nearly 2,100 Americans help, we save lies, strengthen alliances, WORTHINGTON have died in Iraq, and more than 15,000 and promote peace and stability. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I others have been injured. It is impor- I have often talked about humani- rise today to pay tribute to a dedicated tant that we honor their sacrifices and tarian aid as a currency for peace. The steward of our national forests, Mr. the sacrifices of those who came before Foreign Operations appropriations bill Ben Worthington. Last month, Ben re- them. I would like to take a few mo- wisely sets aside targeted funding for tired from the National Forest Service ments to talk about the four legendary global health programs to advance that after 32 years of service. For the last 10 marines commemorated on the new cause. of these years, my home State of Ken- stamps. A1ong with tackling the Global HIV/ tucky was fortunate to have him serve LTG John A. Lejeune is probably the Aids crisis, the Foreign Operations ap- as forest supervisor of the Daniel best known of this fabled four. Re- propriations bill supports the Child Boone National Forest. garded as ‘‘the greatest of all leather- Survival and Health Programs Fund. Ben began his forestry career at necks,’’ Lieutenant General Lejeune These funds help reduce child mor- Washington State University, where he made history in as the tality and morbidity, and combat earned a degree in forest management. first marine to lead what was predomi- other, serious public health problems. After graduating, he joined the Peace nantly an Army division. He was One of the most important public Corps and was relocated to Costa Rica awarded the Distinguished Service health crises this bill addresses is the for 2 years. Upon his return, he worked Medal from both the Army and the lack of clean, drinkable water in many for the Forest Service in his home Navy, as well as the French Legion of regions of the world. State of Oregon and eventually in Honor and the Croix de Guerre with Every 15 seconds a child dies because Washington State and California. Be- Palm for his service during World War of a disease contracted from unclean fore moving to Kentucky, he was the I. He is best known, however, for his water. Fully, 90 percent of infant deputy forest supervisor at Bridger foresight and determination to enhance deaths can be attributed to this one, Teton National Forest in Wyoming. the Marine Corps by introducing spe- basic cause. As forest supervisor of the Daniel cialized amphibious assault capabili- 1n total, water-related disease kills Boone National Forest, Ben oversaw ties into Marine Corps training. Ma- 14,000 people a day. That is over 5 mil- the day-to-day operation and preserva- rines today annually read his 1921 lion people a year, not counting the tion of Kentucky’s only national for- Birthday Message Order that summa- millions who are debilitated and pre- est. The Daniel Boone National Forest rizes the history, mission, and tradi- vented from leading healthy lives. covers over 700,000 acres of land from tions of the Marine Corps. Cholera, typhoid, dysentery, dengue LTG Lewis B. ‘‘Chesty’’ Puller rose fever, trachoma, intestinal helminth the northeastern part of the Common- wealth of Kentucky all the way to the through the ranks from private to be- infection, and schistosomiasis can all come one of the Marine Corps’ most be prevented by simply providing Tennessee State line, and also includes some noncontiguous counties in east- celebrated leathernecks. His distin- clean, drinkable water and proper sani- guished service and leadership during tation. ern Kentucky. This Kentucky treasure has something for every outdoor enthu- critical in the ‘‘ ,’’ Funding for the Safe Water: Currency World War II, and the for Peace Act, which I cosponsored ear- siast. With over 600 miles of trails, it can be hiked, biked, and explored on earned him five Navy Crosses and made lier this year, will go a long way to him one of the most decorated marines providing this simple, but profound ne- horseback. Visitors may also fish, hunt, and camp in the forest, making it ever. He led marines in two of the cessity. Corps’ most daring assaults: at Guadal- In addition to providing Foreign Op- a popular weekend getaway or vacation canal in World War II; and at Inchon in erations needed and targeted humani- destination. the Korean Conflict. He died in 1971 and tarian aid, the Foreign Operations ap- I had the privilege to team up with is still revered in the Corps today for propriations bill advances the critical Ben by securing funds over the years to his courage in combat and his ability work of stopping the spread of WMD. help with the marijuana eradication to inspire confidence and loyalty and We are working closely with our operations on or near the national for- for the attention and respect he showed friends and allies to secure stockpiles est land. Ben and his staff have worked to those under his command. of WMD-related materials and tech- in lockstep with the local sheriff’s de- SGM Daniel J. Daly is one of only nology and to make sure our allies partments, the Kentucky State Police, two marines to be awarded two Medals have the ability to protect these sen- and the Kentucky National Guard to of Honor for separate acts of heroism. sitive materials. identify and destroy marijuana plants. According to the ‘‘Historical Dic- The Foreign Operations appropria- They have done a terrific job, and I tionary of the Marine tions bill provides over $410 million to- know that Ben’s success will be carried Corps’’, his ‘‘record as a fighting man ward our nonproliferation, anti- on by his successor. remains unequalled in the annals of terrorism, and demining efforts. After working for 32 years in the For- One of the gravest threats we face is est Service, Ben plans to remain in Marine Corps history’’ nearly 70 years the threat of WMD falling into our en- Kentucky. His wife is active in their after his death. In 1900, Sergeant Major emy’s hands. local community of Winchester, his Daly was sent to China, where he We cannot, we must not, let this hap- mother now calls Kentucky home, and earned his first during pen. his two children attend Western Ken- the Boxer Rebellion. In 1915, he was Ultimately, the goal of each and tucky University. Ben’s work ethic, sent to , where he earned his sec- every one of our foreign operations pro- dedication, and love of the land will be ond Medal of Honor fighting off nearly grams must be to promote America’s greatly missed, but it is time for him 400 bandits. He saw combat as a gun- security and America’s values. And as to start a new chapter, and I wish Ben nery sergeant in France during World the last century taught us, our secu- the best in his retirement. War I and was awarded the Distin- rity and our values must go hand in f guished Service Cross and the French hand. Government’s Croix de Guerre with Whether for humanitarian, diplo- HONORING SGT. , Palm. He retired in 1929 and died in matic or security purposes, effective ‘‘A PLAIN SOLDIER’’ AND THREE 1937, and remains a legend to all ma- foreign assistance advances our vital OTHER MARINE LEGENDS rines. interests and protects the homeland. Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, last The fourth of the legendary marines The United States remains com- week, on the 230th anniversary of the honored on the new postage stamps is mitted to eliminating poverty, expand- U.S. Marine corps, the U.S. Postal the only one the four killed in combat. ing prosperity, and strengthening do- Service unveiled a long-awaited set of One writer described him as a ‘‘big, mestic institutions abroad. postage stamps honoring four of the handsome Marine with jug ears and a And by doing so, we advance our se- corps’ greatest heroes. smile like a neon sign.’’ GEN Douglas curity and prosperity right here at Today, a new generation of Ameri- MacArthur called him ‘‘a one-man home. cans are risking their lives to serve Army.’’

VerDate Mar 15 2010 20:52 Jan 30, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2005SENATE\S18NO5.REC S18NO5 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY November 18, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S13335 Marine GySgt John Basilone was 1 of cific Campaign Medal, World War II much a patriot, very much a military 10 children of an Italian-born tailor, Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Cita- man. He was a person who wanted to do Salvatore Basilone, and his wife Dora. tion with Star, and Presidential Unit what he could for his country.’’ He was born in Buffalo, NY and raised Citation with Bar. We must remember Private First in Raritan, NJ. After the war, John Basilone was re- Class Yancey’s family, in both Georgia He enlisted in the Army when he was buried at Arlington National Ceme- and Iowa, and stand with them during 18 and served in the , where tery. In 1949, the USS Basilone, a de- this time of loss and grief. The he picked up the nickname ‘‘ stroyer, was commissioned in his thoughts and prayers of countless John.’’ He fought as a light heavy- honor. Today, a life-sized bronze statue Americans go out to Private First weight prizefighter in the Army, going of him watches over his hometown of Class Yancey’s family and friends. He undefeated in 19 fights. He received an Raritan, NJ, and in 1981, Raritan began did not die in vain, but rather gave his honorable discharge after completing a parade in his honor. It remains the life for the promotion of freedom and his 3-year enlistment, returned home, only parade in the Nation dedicated to security around the world. He will be and worked briefly as a truckdriver. the memory of one veteran. sorely missed, but will also be an inspi- In July 1940, sensing war clouds on The National Italian American Foun- ration for future brave Americans for the horizon, John Basilone enlisted in dation, the Order of the Sons of Italy of years to come. the Marine Corps. In October 1942, he America, the Sergeant John Basilone f was serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Foundation, and veterans and marines Marines, , on Gua- organizations worked long and hard to U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL dalcanal. For 6 months, the Army and see this ‘‘plain soldier,’’ as John SERVING IN IRAQ Marines had fought a bloody to Basilone called himself, included Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I hold a critical airfield on that island. among the marine heroes honored on rise today to share with my colleagues On October 24, GySgt John Basilone the new stamps. We thank them for another positive story from a member and 14 other marines were ordered to helping to make a new generation of of the U.S. Armed Forces currently hold back many times that number of Americans aware of the service and serving in Iraq. His story, once again, elite Japanese troops. sacrifices of this son of an Italian im- depicts the frustration that so many of A serving under migrant, a true American hero. our servicemembers have with the lack him would later recall that, ‘‘Basilone When he died, The New York Times of public attention in the U.S. to the had a machine gun on the go for three noted in an editorial that there always humanitarian and military successes of days and three nights without sleep.’’ had been Americans like John their work in Iraq. He fired machine guns, fixed guns, and Basilone, willing to fight for their I recently received a letter in the crawled repeatedly through Japanese country even when they knew their mail from Ms. Ann Sensenich of Boil- lines to get more ammunition. When luck wouldn’t last. ‘‘The finest monu- ing Springs, PA. Ms. Sensenich wrote the sun rose the next morning, the ma- ment they could have,’’ the newspaper to me: rines still held the airfield, and John said, ‘‘would be an enduring resolve by DEAR MR. SANTORUM: Enclosed is a copy of Basilone was credited by his men with all of us to this time fashion an endur- a letter I received from one of our soldiers giving them the will to fight on the ing peace.’’ serving our country in Iraq. I am forwarding most terrifying night of their lives. Let us never forget how much we owe this to you as I feel this is a letter that For his heroism at , John Basilone and all those who have should not be viewed by only my eyes. John Basilone was awarded the Con- I have been sending packages to my em- given so much, over so many genera- ployer’s son in Iraq and he forwards them on gressional Medal of Honor and ordered tions, so that we can live free. to his soldiers and this is one of the re- home to take part in a war bonds tour. . sponses I received. The tour brought in $1.4 million in f Please share this letter with anyone you pledges. He crisscrossed the country, feel would appreciate the service of this and met Hollywood startlets, and even met HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES all our U.S. soldiers defending our country his wife, another marine, at Camp Pen- PRIVATE FIRST CLASS DUSTIN YANCEY and keep in mind he indicated he would go dleton. He could have remained state- Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, back seven times before he would let terror- side for the remainder of the war but, today I address the Senate in tribute to ists on our soil. Thank you for reading this and please he turned down the bars of a second PFC Dustin Yancey, originally from share his words with others. lieutenant because, he said, he didn’t Cedar Rapids, IA and more recently Sincerely, want to become ‘‘a museum piece.’’ In from Goose Creek, SC. Private First ANN B. SENSENICH. his words, ‘‘I’m a plain soldier, and I Class Yancey was tragically killed on Attached to Ms. Sensenich’s cor- want to stay one.’’ So just before November 7, 2005 during Operation respondence is the letter that a de- Christmas 1944, he kissed his new wife Iraqi Freedom. His Humvee was struck ployed servicemember wrote to her goodbye and rejoined his ‘‘boys’’ in the by an improvised explosive device and when her package was shared with fel- Pacific. both Private First Class Dustin Yancey low servicemembers. He wrote: On February 19, 1945, SGT John and Captain James M. Gurbisz were DEAR ANN SENSENICH, I am deployed with Basilone was serving with the 1st Bat- killed. Private First Class Yancey the 3/3 ACR. We received your package, and talion, 7th Marines, 5th Marine Divi- served with the 26th Forward Support I just wanted to take a little bit of my time sion during the first day of the inva- Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Di- to say thanks. sion of . He was on the island vision based in Fort Stewart, GA. He Your package helped with the morale of a less than 2 hours when an enemy artil- was only 22 years old. lot of soldiers. Due to the negative feedback lery round exploded, killing Basilone I ask that the Senate, the people of we get from the media and people back and four members of his platoon. He Iowa, and all Americans stand today home, it is nice to receive a package from had just destroyed an enemy block- and recognize the sacrifice that Private someone who supports us and what we do. People like you are the reason why we house, enabling the marines to capture First Class Yancey made yearlier this fight this war. We sit over here day to day another critical airfield. On his left month. Our country has survived risk getting shot at or having rounds arm were tattooed the words ‘‘Death throughout the centuries due to the dropped in on us so that the people back before Dishonor.’’ John Basilone was 27 brave men and women who have com- home (like yourself) can keep on enjoying years old. posed our Armed Forces, and I am sad- the freedoms that a lot of people take for He was awarded the Navy Cross and dened to announce to the Senate that granted everyday. I, myself used to take posthumously, making another of our bravest will be buried in those things for granted also until I was de- him the only enlisted marine in World Arlington National Cemetery. ployed to fight for our freedom. This is my War II to be awarded the Congressional We could all learn from the patriot- second deployment, and this is the first time that we have received a package from some- Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, and ism and spirit of Private First Class one in the states. So, thank you for your un- the Purple Heart. He was also awarded Yancey. His cousin, Brian Yancey of selfishness, and don’t ever feel bad for the the American Defense Service Medal, Cedar Rapids, IA, remembered that soldiers that are over here fighting this war. , Asiatic-Pa- Private First Class Yancey ‘‘was very This is our job! This is what we were trained

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