Madeleine Bordallo

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. I yield the gentleman an additional 2 minutes.

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I would inquire of the minority if they have any additional speakers.

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my friend and colleague, Mr. Andrews from New Jersey.

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I will continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 900) supporting the goals and ideals of a Cold War Veterans Recognition Day to honor the sacrifices and contributions made by members of the Armed Forces during the Cold War and encouraging the people of the United States to participate in local and national activities honoring the sacrifices and contributions of those individuals, as amended.

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of House Resolution 900, honoring the sacrifices and contributions made by members of the Armed Forces during the Cold War. I would like to thank my friend from New York, Mr. Steve Israel, for bringing this resolution to the House floor. In an age where fear dictated the world's stage, the Armed Forces of the United States of America bravely stood guard to ensure that communism, one of democracy's greatest adversaries, would not prevail. The Cold War Certificate Program recognizes the service of veterans during the period of the Cold War from September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991 in promoting peace and stability for America. For nearly five decades the United States stood the test of time and proved its powerful convictions in defending itself and the ideals of freedom from the threat of communism. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to help the achievements and sacrifice of the Armed Forces during the Cold War be recognized by passing a resolution that encourages the people of our Nation to participate in local and national activities honoring our veterans. I am proud to stand here today to honor the men and the women who stood on the brink of devastating global war in order to bring peace and stability to the world, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of House Resolution 900. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

Ms. BORDALLO. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1119, which honors the service and the sacrifice of the members of the United States Armed Forces both at home and abroad. I would like to thank my colleague from Michigan (Mr. Peters) for authoring this thoughtful measure. The men and women of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard are true patriots, not only because they have heard but because they answered the call of duty, the duty to defend our great Nation from threats both foreign and domestic, the duty to protect our immutable freedoms, and the duty to uphold the values that make the United States both a guardian and a herald of peace and justice. They come from all around us: from big cities and small towns; from the heartland to the coasts; from jobs in farming, industry and technology; from high schools and colleges and universities; and from Wall Street and Main Street. They come from all different backgrounds, from all classes, races, and denominations. They are diverse, yet they share the same sense of duty and purpose. They possess the same courage and fortitude to go and do what others cannot. They courageously grasp the mantle passed on by those before them, those who gave their lives so others may live free. They understand the consequences and the risks, yet they keep their heads held high in honor and in pride, knowing that the rewards are great, but so are the costs. They are often asked to sacrifice that which many of us take for granted: a home-cooked meal; a comfortable bed; the embrace of a friend or a relative; and most importantly, safety. They leave behind spouses, children, and other family members, the people that they love the most, so that other Americans, complete strangers, can enjoy the same freedom. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1119 also acknowledges the critical sacrifice families of servicemembers make: the uncertainties and the inconveniences incurred from permanent changes of station, the anxiety and the stress induced by a deployed servicemember, the grief experienced by families and loved members of those servicemembers wounded or killed in action. These families and loved ones also deserve our most sincere thanks. The moment of silence that will take place on March 26, 2010, on National Support Our Troops Day to honor the men and women in uniform is an undemanding effort, but their service and sacrifice demand our contemplation and our gratitude. So I implore that everyone use the time to recall the sacrifice that they make each and every day. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1119. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. I now yield, Mr. Speaker, 2 minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Garamendi).

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of House Resolution 925, which recognizes aviators in the United States Armed Forces who were forced to evade or escape enemy capture, were captured but subsequently escaped, or were compelled to endure arduous confinement, retaliation, and even death as a result of their efforts to evade capture or escape. I want to thank my colleague from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) for introducing this measure. As a member of the House Committee on Armed Services, I am honored to recognize the aviators of the Armed Forces who have valiantly served the United States in every major conflict during the 20th and 21st century. Aviators, including pilots, navigators, bombardiers, weapons control officers, and other aircraft crew members, with fierce courage and distinction face the threat of being forced down each time they take to the skies. Madam Speaker, House Resolution 925 recognizes those downed aviators that have not only miraculously survived unexpected flight termination, but also have confronted additional dangers escaping or attempting to escape enemy capture on the ground. It also expresses the sense of the House that those downed aviators that were tortured or killed as a result of their efforts to evade capture or escape should be publicly recognized for their extraordinary service. So in honor of these men and women who have selflessly served our Nation, many without the encouragement of public recognition, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' to this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 925) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the meritorious service performed by aviators in the United States Armed Forces who were shot down over, or otherwise forced to land in, hostile territory yet evaded enemy capture or were captured but subsequently escaped, as amended.

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my friend and colleague, and the sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio).

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I would like to inquire as to how much time is remaining.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1173 sponsored by Representative Peter Welch of Vermont is a commemorative resolution to mark the 100th anniversary of the Vermont Long Trail. This resolution also recognizes the contribution of the Green Mountain Club for its efforts to develop and maintain the trail over the last century. The Vermont Long Trail is the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States. The trail runs 273 miles along the ridges of the Vermont Green Mountains and spans the State from the border of Massachusetts to the border of Canada. On March 11, 1910, the Green Mountain Club was established to begin work on building the Long Trail. They have served as its stewards ever since. Representative Welch is to be commended for his efforts to protect and celebrate the stunning beauty of his home State and for providing his constituents some well-deserved recognition of their conservation efforts. Mr. Speaker, we support the passage of the resolution, and I urge its adoption by the House today. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support the resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1173) recognizing the 100th anniversary of the Vermont Long Trail, the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States, and congratulating the Green Mountain Club for its century of dedication in developing and maintaining the trail.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2788) to designate a Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial at the March Field Air Museum in Riverside, California.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4003, introduced by our friend Representative Maurice Hinchey of New York, would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to evaluate the resources in the Hudson River Valley and determine the suitability and the feasibility of establishing the area as a unit of the National Park System. Mr. Speaker, for more than half a century various local, state, and Federal agencies have helped to protect, preserve, and celebrate this historic and significant landscape. The valley is home to numerous state and Federal parks that honor a variety of historic events. Representative Hinchey is to be commended for his tireless efforts on behalf of his constituents and the outstanding historic and cultural resources found in New York State. We support passage of H.R. 4003, and urge its adoption by the House today. I reserve the balance of my time.