H8922 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 7, 2006 Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there here. It gives me tingles up the middle back the balance of my time. objection to the request of the gen- of my spine to think about the Galt The SPEAKER pro tempore. The tleman from California? family and how much they have con- question is on the motion offered by There was no objection. tributed to the State of Montana and the gentleman from California (Mr. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- to this Nation over the years. HUNTER) that the House suspend the tleman may proceed. This legislation would name the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6375. Mr. HUNTER. Thank you, Mr. Speak- Armed Forces Readiness Center in The question was taken. er. Great Falls, Montana, in honor of Cap- The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Mr. Speaker, this is one of these bills tain William Wylie Galt, a recipient of opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of that it is good to go out on as we close the Congressional Medal of Honor, as those voting have responded in the af- down this session of Congress. This is was said. firmative. an excellent initiative by my good The Armed Forces Readiness Center Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, on that friend from Montana to name the will house the Army National Guard I demand the yeas and nays. Armed Forces Readiness Center in and the Army Reserve units who have The yeas and nays were ordered. Great Falls, Montana, in honor of Cap- spent recent tours in Operation Iraqi The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- tain William Wylie Galt, who was a re- Freedom. ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the cipient of the Congressional Medal of William Galt was born on December Chair’s prior announcement, further Honor. 19 of 1919 in Geyser, Montana. He was proceedings on this question will be Mr. Speaker, we just had a hearing commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant, In- postponed. under the leadership of JOHN MCHUGH, fantry, through the Army ROTC pro- f who is the outgoing chairman of the gram upon graduation from Montana Personnel Subcommittee in Armed State University in the spring of 1942. NAMING OF ARMED FORCES READ- Services on the Medal of Honor and on I sometimes give Mr. HUNTER a hard INESS CENTER IN HONOR OF the criteria for the award. And we had time because he did in fact attend the CAPTAIN WILLIAM WYLIE GALT some initiatives, some good discussions University of Montana for 1 year. And Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to with our service representatives on en- I can tell you, Missoula has not been suspend the rules and pass the Senate suring that we have the appropriate the same since he left. bill (S. 3759) to name the Armed Forces guidelines for giving this great medal. Captain Galt was in Italy during Readiness Center in Great Falls, Mon- And it was an uplifting hearing, be- World War II. For conspicuous gal- tana, in honor of Captain William cause it is a hearing in which the acts lantry above and beyond the call of Wylie Galt, a recipient of the Congres- of Americans who went far beyond the duty, Captain Galt, at a particularly sional Medal of Honor. call of duty were reviewed and were critical period following two unsuc- The Clerk read as follows: discussed. cessful attacks by his battalion, of his S. 3759 Mr. Speaker, I think anytime some- own volition went forward and Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- body passes this, walks by the Armed ascertained just how critical the situa- resentatives of the United States of America in Forces Readiness Center in Great tion was. He volunteered, at the risk of Congress assembled, Falls, Montana, and they see that it is his life, personally, to lead the bat- SECTION 1. NAMING OF ARMED FORCES READI- named after Captain Galt, they are talion against the objective. NESS CENTER IN GREAT FALLS, going to be reminded, perhaps inspired, When the lone remaining tank de- MONTANA, IN HONOR OF CAPTAIN stroyer refused to go forward, Captain WILLIAM WYLIE GALT, A RECIPIENT of his heroism. OF THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF The Congressional Medal of Honor is Galt jumped on the tank destroyer and HONOR. a symbol of adherence to duty, honor ordered it to attack. As the tank de- The Armed Forces Readiness Center in and country; and I think it is abso- stroyer moved forward, followed by a Great Falls, Montana, shall be known and lutely appropriate that we name, with company of riflemen, Captain Galt designated as the ‘‘Captain William Wylie this dwindling pool of Medal of Honor manned the .30 caliber machine gun in Galt Great Falls Armed Forces Readiness recipients, and the gentleman, as a vet- the turret of the tank destroyer, lo- Center’’. Any reference in a law, map, regu- lation, document, paper, or other record of eran of the United States Army knows, cated and directed fire on an enemy the United States to such facility shall be we now have a very small pool of living anti-tank gun, and destroyed it. deemed to be a reference to the Captain Wil- Medal of Honor winners. So I think Nearing the enemy positions, Captain liam Wylie Galt Great Falls Armed Forces that wherever it is possible to name Galt stood fully exposed in the turret, Readiness Center. our buildings and our institutions and ceaselessly firing his machine gun and b 1330 installations after Medal of Honor re- tossing hand grenades into the enemy’s cipients, it is a point of inspiration for zigzag series of trenches despite the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- young people that will be enduring. hail of sniper and machine gun bullets ant to the rule, the gentleman from Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of ricocheting off the tank destroyer. California (Mr. HUNTER) and the gen- my time. As the tank destroyer moved, Cap- tleman from Missouri (Mr. SKELTON) Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield tain Galt so maneuvered it that 40 of each will control 20 minutes. myself such time as I may consume. the enemy were trapped in one of the The Chair recognizes the gentleman I fully support Senate bill 3759. It es- trenches. When they refused to sur- from California. tablishes an Armed Forces Readiness render, Captain Galt pressed the trig- GENERAL LEAVE Center in Great Falls, Montana, as a ger of the machine gun and dispatched Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask memorial to Captain William Wylie every one of them. unanimous consent that all Members Galt. And reading his resume, reading A few minutes later, an 88-millimeter have 5 legislative days within which to his citation, receiving the Medal of shell struck the tank destroyer and revise and extend their remarks on the Honor, it is one of courage and selfless Captain Galt fell mortally wounded legislation under consideration. sacrifice. There is no question in my across his machine gun. He had person- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there mind this is a very good gesture, as it ally killed 40 Germans and wounded objection to the request of the gen- should be more often, to those who ex- many more. tleman from California? hibited the highest type of valor for Captain Galt pitted his judgment and There was no objection. our country. superb courage against overwhelming Mr. HUNTER. I would also at this Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of odds, exemplifying the highest measure time like to yield the balance of my my time. of devotion to his country and the fin- time, after I finish my opening re- Mr. REHBERG. Mr. Speaker, I yield est traditions of the U.S. Army. marks, to the gentleman from Montana myself such time as I may consume. His courage and unrivaled determina- (Mr. REHBERG), who was the sponsor of I thank the gentleman for his kind tion to win for his country led to a win this bill, and I ask unanimous consent words. And there are times in this re- for America that day, but at the cost of that he be allowed to control the time sponsibility of being a Congressman his own life. William Galt is a true ex- for purposes of debate. that sometimes you forget why you are ample of not only a Montana hero, but

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:39 Dec 08, 2006 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07DE7.051 H07DEPT1 jcorcoran on PRODPC62 with HOUSE December 7, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8923 an American hero. We are proud to Whereas at least 263 recipients of the Con- of the countless ways in which these honor him and the great sacrifice he gressional Medal of Honor proudly claim Ire- Irish Americans have advanced our Na- gave to this country. land as their birthplace, making Irish-born tion politically, economically and cul- The U.S. Army Reserve Center on individuals the largest group of foreign-born turally, I rise today in support of H. Gore Hill was dedicated to Captain recipients of the prestigious honor; Whereas Irish-American social reformer Res. 733. Galt in 1958. Unfortunately, in 2005, the Elizabeth Cady Stanton successfully cham- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Base Realignment Closure Commis- pioned women’s voting rights, which were my time. sion, BRAC, decided to permanently granted in 1920 by the 19th amendment to the Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I close Galt Hall U.S. Army Reserve Cen- Constitution; yield myself such time as I may con- ter on Gore Hill in Great Falls, Mon- Whereas pioneers of the American space sume. tana and relocate units to a new Armed program were of Irish descent, including Mr. Speaker, March is a significant Forces Readiness Center near Kathryn Sullivan, the first woman to walk month for Irish Americans. March 17 Malmstrom Air Force Base across in space, and Christa Corrigan McAuliffe, honors Saint Patrick, the patron saint America’s first school teacher to bravely en- town. of Ireland. Saint Patrick is commemo- gage in space exploration, who ultimately rated for introducing Christianity to I believe it is a fitting tribute to gave her life to the empiricism of knowledge name the U.S. Armed Forces Readiness about the surrounding universe; Ireland in the fifth century. Center in Great Falls, Montana, the Whereas more than 44 million American March also commemorates Irish Captain William Wylie Galt Great citizens are of Irish descent; American Heritage Month, which was Falls Armed Forces Readiness Center. Whereas each year, on March 17th, the first proclaimed by the United States It gives me a great deal of pleasure to United States and its citizens humbly ob- Congress in 1995. Irish immigrants contributed a great have this legislation passed. serve St. Patrick’s Day in honor of the pa- tron saint of Ireland; and deal to the creation of this great Na- Mr. SKELTON, Mr. HUNTER, thank you Whereas the Irish and their descendants for your patience, thank you for your tion, both during the struggle for inde- have toiled throughout the existence of the pendence and in the founding of the Re- cooperation. Thanks for all that you United States, contributing significantly to did. public. Nine of the people who signed the enrichment of all aspects of life in this our Declaration of Independence and 19 Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance Nation, including military and public serv- of my time. ice, science, education, agriculture, indus- Presidents of the United States claim Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield try, dance, music, theatre, film, literature, Irish heritage, including our first back the balance of my time. visual composition, business, technology, President, George Washington. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The athletics, and leadership: Now, therefore, be The largest wave of Irish immigrants question is on the motion offered by it came in the late 1840s when the great Resolved, That it is the sense of the House the gentleman from California (Mr. potato famine ravaged Ireland, caused of Representatives that— 2 million people to emigrate, mostly to HUNTER) that the House suspend the (1) an Irish-American Heritage Month rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 3759. America. These immigrants trans- should be established; and formed our cities and rural commu- The question was taken; and (two- (2) the people of the United States should thirds of those voting having responded observe such a month with appropriate cere- nities into centers of commerce and in the affirmative) the rules were sus- monies, celebrations, and activities. cultural diversity. Though they faced pended and the Senate bill was passed. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- terrible discrimination and prejudice, A motion to reconsider was laid on ant to the rule, the gentleman from In- they persevered and took jobs as labor- ers and built railroads to build a better the table. diana (Mr. SOUDER) and the gentleman life for themselves and their families. from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS) each will con- f Irish Americans have contributed trol 20 minutes. EXPRESSING SENSE OF THE significantly to the enrichment of all The Chair recognizes the gentleman HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES aspects of life in this Nation, including from Indiana. THAT THERE SHOULD BE ESTAB- military and public service, science, LISHED AN IRISH-AMERICAN GENERAL LEAVE education, dance, literature and much HERITAGE MONTH Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I ask more. And especially, Mr. Speaker, unanimous consent that all Members Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I move to Irish Americans are very actively and may have 5 legislative days within suspend the rules and agree to the reso- consistently involved in public activ- which to revise and extend their re- lution (H. Res. 733) expressing the sense ity, public service activity, public deci- marks and include extraneous material of the House of Representatives that sion-making, running for office, being on the resolution under consideration. there should be established an Irish- members of local and State govern- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there ments and of our national government. American Heritage Month. objection to the request of the gen- The Clerk read as follows: I am pleased to support this resolution. tleman from Indiana? H. RES. 733 Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance There was no objection. of my time. Whereas, by 1776, nearly 300,000 people had Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield emigrated from Ireland to the United States; Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. myself such time as I may consume. Whereas, following the victory of General From the very beginning, the United George Washington’s troops at Yorktown, I hope this can move through unani- Lord Mountjoy reported to the British Par- States has been changed for the better mously. It is an important bill in the liament the surrender of General Charles by its citizens of Irish descent. Nine- sense of paying tribute to the diversity Cornwallis, proclaiming, ‘‘We have lost teen Presidents, including George of America and particularly to the America through the exertions of the Irish’’; Washington, and at least eight signers Irish Americans. Whereas Irish-born Commodore John Barry of the Declaration of Independence As a graduate of Notre Dame, a Ger- was the first flag officer of the United States were of Irish ancestry; 263 recipients of man Swiss graduate of Notre Dame, al- Navy and is endeared by many as the ‘‘Fa- the Congressional Medal of Honor were though many of my colleagues here are ther of the American Navy’’; born in Ireland, as was John Barry, the Whereas at least 8 signers of the Declara- of Irish descent who are Notre Dame tion of Independence were of Irish ancestry; first flag officer of the United States grads, it is a particular pleasure for Whereas 19 Presidents of the United States Navy. And the list of contributions of me, as a graduate of Notre Dame, the proudly claim Irish heritage, including the Irish Americans goes on: Elizabeth Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, to move first President, George Washington; Cady Stanton’s successful fight for that we unanimously adopt this bill. Whereas Irish-born James Hoban designed women’s voting rights, James Hoban’s Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance the White House, and he was integral in its architectural design for the White of my time. restoration after it was severely damaged by House, and Annie Moore’s brave pas- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The fire in 1814; sage through Ellis Island as America’s question is on the motion offered by Whereas, in 1892, Annie Moore, from Coun- ty Cork, Ireland, was the first immigrant ad- first immigrant. the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. mitted through Ellis Island, contributing to What began as 300,000 Irish immi- SOUDER) that the House suspend the America’s diverse culture by offering the grants in 1776 has grown to 44 million rules and agree to the resolution, H. rich customs and culture of her native land; Irish Americans today. In recognition Res. 733.

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