3460 CONGRESS10NAL RECORD - HOUSE Feb_ruary 21, 1966 Wlllman, Charles E. Worthen, Dale L. poverty, and . despair. Hasten the day Mr. BOGGS. Mr. Speaker, I should wms, Mark A. Yam.aura, Lawrence when the millennial hope of justice, like my statement to follow the remarks Wilson, Daniel E. Yates, William. E., Jr. peace, and brotherly love shall be estab­ which will appear in the RECORD by the Wilson, David E. Yim., Gordon T . K. K. lished and will prevail throughout the distinguished majority leader relative to Wilson, Frank E. s. Wilson, Haldon D., Jr. Youm.ans, Tom.m.y B. world. Amen. the death on yesterday of one of the Wilson, Woodrow 0., Young, Earl W., Jr. great leaders of our country in World Jr. Zaehringer, Theodore War II. Winget, Harold W. A. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT The name of Admiral Nimitz became Wise, Lawrence F., Jr. Zahn, Sylvan A., Jr. A message in writing from the Presi­ as famous and as well known as any Witt, Sherrill A. Ziehler, Paul M. dent of the United States was communi­ hero in the history of our Nation during Wooliever, Robert A. Ziem.ann, Cornelius M. cated to the House by Mr. Geisler, one of World War II, when he commanded the his secretaries. greatest fleet ever assembled-over 1,000 CONFIRMATION fighting ships and well over a million fighting men-which conquered island Executive nomination confirmed by THE JOURNAL after island in the Pacific, and which led the Senate February 18, 1966: The J oumal of the proceedings of to our victory over the Japanese Empire. COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION Thursday, February 17, 1966, was read Our Nation has lost one of its greatest Nathan M. Koffsky, of Maryland, to be a and approved. heroes. mem.ber -of the Board of Directors of the Mr: LAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I would like Comm.odity Credit Corporation. to associate myself with the remarks of DEATH OF ADM. CHESTER W. NIMITZ the gentleman from Louisiana on the •• ..... •• passing of the great Fleet Adm. Chester Mr. BOGGS. Mr. Speaker, I ask W. Nimitz. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES unanimous consent that the gentleman All Americans have cause to mourn the from Oklahoma [Mr. ALBERT] may ex­ passing of this great American who MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1966 tend his remarks at this point in the served his country so well in war and RECORD. peace. The House met at 12 o'clock noon. The SPEAKER pro tempore: Is there Mr. Speaker, Sunday, February 20, objection to the request of the gentleman 1966, marked the passing of one of our from Louisiana? Nation's most famous admirals who died DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO There was no objection. TEMPORE at his home on Yerba Buena Island,. Calif. Mr. ALBERT. Mr. Speaker, another Admiral Nimitz commanded the most The SPEAKER pro tempore. The of the great heroes of World War II has pawerful fleet the world has ever known Clerk will read the fallowing communica­ disappeared with the death yesterday of in driving the Japanese Navy from the tion. Admiral of the Fleet Chester W. Nimitz. Pacific Ocean in World War II. He took The Clerk read as follows: Admiral Nimitz had spent all but 15 of over the shattered U.S. :fleet shortly after F'F;BRUARY 21, 1966. his 81 years in the service of the U.S. the attack on Pearl Harbor and nurtured I hereby designate the Honorable CARL Navy. In World War I he served in the its recovery and growth into a force of ALBERT to act as Speaker pro tern.pore today. Atlantic Fleet with a submarine division 16,000 aircraft, 5,000 ships, and 2 million JOHN w. McCORMACK, in a day when submarines were regarded men-the mightest armada ever assem­ Speaker of the House of Representatives. as strange military instruments. In bled. World War II he assumed command of It was a distinct honor for me to have PRAYER our shattered forces at Pearl Harbor and served in the Pacific Fleet under Admiral 2 years later led the Pacific Fleet to vic­ Nimitz during this crucial period of time Rabbi Norman Zdanowitz, of the Con­ tory in the battles of the Coral Sea, Mid­ in our history. gregation Beth Abraham, Auburn, Maine, way, Tarawa, and the Marianas. His On September 1, 1945, Fleet Admiral offered the following prayer: name is synonymous with many of the Nimitz was one of the signers of the O Heavenly Father, inoculate with the historic sea engagements of World War United States when Japan formally :radiance of Thy divine spirit those who II. signed the surrender terms aboard the .are charged with the great responsibility Admiral Nimitz was a superb leader battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay. <>f directing the affairs of our glorious and a highly knowledgeable technician. On October 5, 1945, which had been and beloved country. Endow them with He was the builder of the Navy's first officially designated as "Nimitz Day" in insight and foresight in this crucial diesel engine, the designer and builder Washington, D.C., Admiral Nimitz was period to champion and to · safeguard of the first naval forward repair stations personally presented a Gold Star in lieu mankind's inalienable rights to .life, lib­ and maintenance squadrons which over­ of the third Distinguished Service Medal ·erty, and the pursuit of happiness. came a prime weakness in the naval fleet by the President of the United States Protect and sustain, strengthen and in the Pacific and contributed enormous­ "For ex;ceptionally meritorious service as 1nspire our illustrious President, Vice ly to naval victories in that ·area. commander in chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet President, and these distinguished lead­ Admiral Nimitz commanded a thou­ and Pacific Ocean areas, from June 1944 ers of this great Republic. sand ships and 2 million men and saw to August 1945." May the patriotism, wisdom, and cou­ the successful culmination of the efforts Mr. Speaker, under unanimous con­ rageous spirit of George Washington, of the Pacific Fleet from the deck of the sent, I include the text of the citation whose birthday we reverently pause to U.S.S. Missouri when the Japanese ca­ which accompanied the Gold Star pres­ celebrate tomorrow, ever serve as a lan­ pitulation was signed on September 2, entation on October 5, 19.45, at this point tern to illumine their path, to maintain 1945. in the RECORD. a Government "which gives to bigotry Throughout his long career he was five The citation follows: no sanction and to persecution no as­ times awarded the Distinguished Serv­ Initiating the final phase in the battle for .sistance." ice Medal for wartime exploits, received victory in the Pacific, [he] attacked the Vouchsafe Thy blessings upon the gal­ most of the NaVY's highest decorations, Marianas, invading Saipan, infiicting a de­ lant men of our Armed Forces who have and wide recognition for his outstanding cisive defeat in the Japanese Fleet in ttie gone forth to arrest the reckless wave service. While honors were showered first battle of the Philippines and captur­ ·of unprovoked aggression and bloodshed upon him, he was no less honored and ing Guam and Tinian. rn vital continuing <>n distant shores. Crown their efforts loved for his poise under fire, his tact and operations, his Fleet Forces isolated the understanding, and his down-to-earth enemy-held bastions of the Central and East­ with triumph and enable them to achieve ern Carolines and secured in quick succes­ the suppression of tyranny and lawless­ attitude. sion Peleliu, Angaur, and Ulithi. With re­ ness. All Americans mourn the passing of connaissance of the main beaches on Leyte May the United States remain a citadel this great naval hero who defended our effected, approach channels cleared and op­ of freedom and a watchtower from which country so long and well. position neutralized in" joint operations to .rays of light and hope shall be 'beamed I extend my sympathy to his family reoccupy the Philippines, the challenge by to those who are now living in darkness, and loved ones. powerful task forces of the Japanese Fleet February 21, 1966 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - HOUSE 3461 resulted in a historic victory in the three­ him in highest esteem as a patriot to stered by the infamous and disastrous at­ phased battle for Leyte Gulf, October 24 to whom all Americans owe a debt of tack at Pearl Harbor. 26, 1944. • • • Fleet Admiral Nimitz cul­ gratitude. The first major clash occurred on May minated long-range strategy by successful 4, 1942, in the Battle of the Coral Sea, a amphibious assault on Iwo Jima and Oki­ 5-day engagement. A spectacular vic­ nawa • • • finally placed representative FLEET ADM. CHESTER W. NIMITZ forces of the U.S. Navy in the harbor of tory resulted, and the threat to New Zea­ Tokyo for the formal capitulation of the Mr. FISHER. Mr. Speaker, I ask land and Australia was averted. Japanese Empire. • • • He demonstrated unanimous consent to address the House A month later came the Battle of Mid­ the highest qualities of a naval officer and for 1 minute and to revise and extend my way, and again the Nimitz strategy rendered services of the greatest distinction remarks. brought another great naval victory. to his country. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there After these two victories the admiral was Mr. Speaker, under unanimous con­ objection to the request of the gentleman later quoted as saying the eventual defeat sent, I include the text of a communica­ from Texas? . of the Japanese was just a question of tion from the Secretary of the Navy to There was no objection.