Ike Skelton

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Is it not also correct that all of the other services have a national type of museum but the U.S. Army does not?

Mr. SKELTON. I certainly agree and compliment you on your position.

Mr. SKELTON. I certainly agree with your position on the Army Museum. As a matter of fact, it is only an appropriation to buy the land because all else is going to be built by donations. Is that not correct?

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, let me mention this. It was mentioned why not build the museum on Fort Belvoir or Fort Myer. It is prohibited to build the museum or any museum on that. That is why we have to do it here.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I oppose the amendment. We are speaking about a tribute, tribute to soldiers. It is that simple. What we need to do is to purchase the land so that donations across our country can build this museum as a tribute to our soldiers. I was struck by what the gentleman from Virginia said a few moments ago, that we are losing our sense of history. We in this country must regain that sense of history, particularly for the young people, those who come to Washington, those that wish to learn, those that are impressionable, because, if they see what their forefathers, particularly the soldier forefathers, thought the Army's 220-year history has done, has done for freedom, they will have a better understanding of not just the Army, but of our Nation. We have an obligation to our soldiers. We have an obligation to our veterans, and especially those Americans who lost loved ones in uniform, to show how America's soldiers lived, and served, and died for our Nation throughout the Army's entire history. We have an obligation as well to ensure that our society and the military do not grow apart. There is a real problem should that happen. In 1950, there were 3.9 soldiers for every 1,000. In 1996, there will be less than 2 soldiers for every 1,000 citizens. We need for Americans, young people and older folks as well, who have no contact with our Nation's Army, to understand the role, and the best place would be in a museum of this sort. I oppose the amendment.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I have before me a letter from the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste. In this letter, there is a description of the proposed Army Museum as ``the theater of the absurd.'' Mr. Chairman, every American should resent those words. I was privileged to be part of the congressional delegation that represented America at the D-day commemoration last year, the hundreds of graves near Normandy. I have also been, years ago, to the scene of another army defense, a place called Corregidor. And for someone to write the words ``the threater of the absurd,'' when you wish to commemorate brave and outstanding heroism of the past, is absurd itself. Those men and women who wear uniforms today and have worn the uniform in the past make it possible for people like this to write words like this in a free land. Mr. Chairman, in a larger sense, someone a few moments ago spoke of sacrifice. Let us not forget we ask sacrifice of the young men and young women in uniform. For them to live in substandard housing is wrong. It is a disgrace. We should give them the very best that we possibly can.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Earl F. Skelton, of Washington, DC, a physicist at the Naval Research Laboratory was awarded an NRL-Edison Chapter Sigma Xi Award in Pure Science at a ceremony on June 8, 1995. Dr. Earl F. Skelton of the Condensed Matter and Radiation Science Division is the author of one of two winning papers in pure science, ``Direct Observation of Microscopic Inhomogeneities With Energy- Dispersive Diffraction of Synchrotron Product X-rays.'' In this paper, also winner of the 1995 NRL Alan Berman Annual Research Publication Award, Dr. Skelton develops fundamental high-pressure research on various superconducting materials using a synchrotron beamline and significantly improves the x-ray diffraction detection limit. This is the first example of directly detecting structural variations over a spatial scale of 10 micrometers. The existence of such structural inhomogeneities brings into question whether exotic experimental results obtained from high-temperature superconducting material actually reflect their intrinsic properties. Dr. Skelton, a research physicist with a Ph.D in physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has published over 200 research papers in technical journals and won several scientific publication awards. He is a fellow of the American Physical Society and a professor in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at George Washington University. Each year at the NRL-Edison Chapter of Sigma Xi presents awards to outstanding NRL scientists judged to have made distinguished contributions to pure and applied science during their research NRL. These awards are in keeping with the objective of the chapter to encourage investigation in pure and applied science and to promote the spirit of scientific research at the Naval Research Laboratory. I know that each Member of this body joins me in congratulating Dr. Skelton on his truly outstanding achievement.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I will not take the full time, but I do wish to ask two points of clarification if the gentleman does not mind. Does this apply only to national missile defense? The second is, what if this amendment does not pass? What would be the force and effect, particularly in light of the comments made by the gentleman from Pennsylvania?

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I oppose this amendment. This amendment attacks stability. It attacks all that we have stood for in Europe since the Second World War. We do not have to do much history reading to see that twice we have been back to Europe to save them from tyranny. Harry Truman helped establish NATO. This is a direct attack on NATO. This is a direct attack on stability. [[Page H5958]] I urge my colleagues to take the time to read this amendment. Look at the language, and you see it is not a burdensharing amendment. It is one to actually cut the troop strength in Europe and, in truth, in fact, we are cutting down and down, and we will have, and have, only two army divisions with two brigades left in Europe. We have cut our troop strength down there by 63 percent, down to a hundred thousand force level. As a result of previous congressional action, there it should stay. We cannot allow our stability, our presence, most of all our leadership in Europe, to come unglued. This amendment does away with American forward presence in Europe, it does away with our leadership, it does not give us the voice that we should have, and the passage for our military and our ability to work with our allies in the field because we will not have adequate forces there. We should turn this down, see this amendment for what it is. Though it is called a burdensharing amendment, in truth and fact it is an amendment to cause us to lose our leadership in NATO. We cannot allow that.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Frost]. (Mr. FROST asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, in all of this paraphrasing of Shakespeare I can only say, ``Me thinkest thou protesteth too much.'' With that, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Harman]. (Ms. HARMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, this body through the years has made many important decisions. It has sent signals throughout the world by its vote. In 1939, this Chamber voted against a $5 million appropriation for the harbor in Guam. The empire of Japan took that as a signal that we would not defend the Pacific. What kind of a message would we send if we do not produce and continue producing at least 2 B-2 bombers which are the state-of-the- art weapons systems? This is a very significant decision. It is one that we must take very seriously and one that we must understand will make a great deal of difference in deterrence and in conflict, heaven forbid, should that come. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California [Mr. Fazio].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Washington [Mr. Dicks]. (Mr. DICKS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California [Mr. Cunningham].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Chairman, my friend and colleague, the gentleman from California [Mr. Dellums], says that the only people who want this will be the people who benefit from it. I say to each of the Members that every American benefits from national defense. Every American benefits from the strongest national defense our country can provide. Those who say that they are for a strong national defense, but are against the most sophisticated, highly-technical weapons system that no one else can produce except us, causes me to wonder. Then my good friend, the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Kasich], said who is for it. He overlooked the most important airplane pilot, recently retired, but while he was on active duty, General Mike Lowe. He said ``My assessment says we need 30 or 40 more bombers to make things work out about right, so we don't have to stretch the bomber force in 2 major regional contingency scenarios.'' We should think of this with reason. We should not let emotion make this decision. This discussion is based upon a flawed study, and I compliment the gentleman from Oklahoma [Mr. Watts] who pointed that out. The study, the bomber study, assumes we have a 14-day waiting period, warning period, time in which we can get ready and put our entire 60-some-odd aircraft in the theater. I will remind Members that Poland was invaded in 1939 without warning. I will remind Members that Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941, without warning. South Korea was invaded in June, 1950, without warning. The Berlin wall went up in 1961, without warning. More recently, in Kuwait, Saddam Hussein came into their country without warning. Mr. Chairman, we have a weapons system that can make air power something necessary, something that can make America extend its defensive systems without warning. The B-2 can be deployed across the globe within hours. Under the cloak of stealth, the B-2 can deter and repel an armored attack better than any other defense system, while putting only 2 American servicemen at risk. I ask my colleagues what our response would have been in Kuwait in absence of time to position our forces? Mr. Chairman, a bipartisan group of 7 former Defense secretaries, including Harold Brown and Dick Cheney, made the case in a letter to President Clinton in January: ``The B-2 remains the most cost-effective means of rapidly protecting our force over great distances. Its range will enable it to reach any point on the earth within hours after launch while being deployed at only 3 secure bases around the world. Its payload, an array of munitions, will permit it to destroy numerous time-sensitive targets in a single sortie.'' Mr. Chairman, I oppose the Kasich amendment, and I hope people will vote against it.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to congratulate Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, who will retire on June 20, 1995. General Sullivan's career spans 36 years in which he has given selfless and distinguished service as a soldier, leader, and visionary adviser to both the President and this Congress. Others have already entered a list of his accomplishments into the public record. his commitment to people, and leader development. Since June 1991, General Sullivan has served as the Chief of Staff of the Army directing the Army's transformation into a power projection force, ready to defend the national interest in any corner of the world, whenever the Nation called. Throughout this period of historic change, General Sullivan provided not only the vision and energy to make the necessary changes, but also the guiding principles to keep the Army firmly focused on its fundamental purpose--fight and win the Nation's wars. He has been the epitome of responsible leadership, accomplishing tasks consistent with our Nation's values. He is a leader who is absolutely committed to people. His personal relationship with America's Army--soldiers, civilians, families, corporate America--provide the context for his actions. He was particularly in touch with the soldier, creating a climate that allowed his subordinates to act and grow to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world environment. Whenever and wherever soldiers deployed in support of the Nation's interests there would be Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan. He could be found at Army posts at home and abroad, in disaster relief operations in Florida and Hawaii, floods in the Midwest, fires in the Far West, and earthquakes in California, in humanitarian operations in Somalia, Rwanda, and Haiti, and greeting soldiers returning from overseas deployments. General Sullivan himself will credit these recent successes directly to the Army's two-decade investment in leader development. The future will require no less of a commitment. The future will challenge the leaders of America's Army. They will have to operate in ambiguous, uncertain, and complex environments. The hallmark of future Army leaders will be their ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations. Through personal example and unswerving commitment, General Sullivan has touched a generation of Army leaders, influencing them to embrace leader development as one of the Army's fundamental imperatives. General Sullivan's career has been the epitome of selfless service to our Nation and the quintessential example of all we could hope our military leaders to be. And through the decades of service and sacrifice he has been supported by a loving family. The Nation shares General Sullivan with his wife Gay, their children John, Mark, and Elizabeth, and a grandson Christopher. They, too, have served the Nation, supporting in countless ways the career of this dedicated soldier. Throughout its great history, this country has been blessed with men and women willing to serve and sacrifice their lives for the freedoms we enjoy. One such manifestation of this spirit comes from a letter written to General Grant by General Sherman in March 1864 when General Grant took command of the Union Armies. In his letter, Sherman wrote: Throughout the war you were always in my mind. I always knew if I were in trouble, and you were still alive, that you would come to my assistance. That, Mr. Speaker, is what Gordon Russell Sullivan represents, what he embodies--simple words, soldiers' words--courage and loyalty. Serving the Nation and the soldiers of America's Army. Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan--a consummate professional, a loyal servant of the Constitution, a leader of demonstrated moral and physical courage--on behalf of the Congress of the United States and the people we represent, I offer our heartfelt gratitude for your service.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker today I wish to recognize a truly outstanding American, Lt. Gen. Daniel R. Schroeder, for service to his country in the Corps of Engineers of the U.S. Army. I would like to commend General Schroeder for 34 years of faithful and dedicated service to the United States. A lifetime career in numerous Army engineer positions, his leadership has been shown throughout his career. He retires most recently serving as the deputy commander in chief of the U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army. General Schroeder is to be applauded for his fine work during the 1988 activation of the Army Engineer Center at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. During this time, he served as the commanding general of the U.S Army Engineer Center and Fort Leonard Wood Commandant. This center contributes and ensures the future growth and development of the Army engineer regiment. General Schroeder's many U.S. decorations and badges include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf cluster), Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with V Device (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Award (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Medals with V Device, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters), Combat Infantryman Badge, and Master Parachutist Badge. I know that the Members of this body join in sending congratulations to General Schroeder and best wishes for his retirement. The Army Corps of Engineers has been fortunate to have had General Schroeder as one of its leaders.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, on the evening of May 30, 1995, the community of Concordia, MO, rededicated the Doughboy Statue, first erected in 1923, in the city's central park. It was a memorable experience for me to participate in the ceremonies with community leaders, including Dick Stuenkel, Rev. Paul Wobus, and Mayor Alfred Rodewald. Brig. Gen. Ron Marcotte of Whiteman Air Force Base delivered an address. Mayor Rodewald delivered the rite of dedication, which was a fitting tribute to the community's veterans: Rite of Rededication of Doughboy Monument In the Name of Almighty God, the Creator of all things, the Redeemer of sinful mankind and the Sanctifier of all that is made just and holy. On Sept. 23, 1923, this community dedicated a monument. The monument was formed of Bedford limestone. It depicted an American soldier--a Doughboy of World War fame--standing at attention, standing 6 feet tall, a weapon at his right side, in full uniform, dignified, in Central Park, Concordia, MO. Here the Doughboy monument has stood for 71 years. It has been a symbol of appreciation for all who joined the Armed Forces of America to defend her against human injustice: in the Civil War from 1861 to 1865; the Spanish-American War in 1898; and the World War from 1914 to 1918. The monument has endured 71 years of exposure to the elements of west central Missouri. It has received tender glances from people who wanted to know of its significance and meaning. It has been greeted by warm faces from patriotic Americans and foreigners alike. Through the years, the Doughboy has stood as a proud symbol in central park. This monument of stone has stood in silence. Yet it has projected a message of dedication and commitment by area citizens to the defense of liberty, peace and justice for all. Dedicated to those who defended America in the Civil War, Spanish-American War, and World War I, the Doughboy has held its place in Concordia while more wars raged and the U.S. Government called upon new generations of local men and women to bear arms in her defense. The monument stood through World War II, from 1939 to 1945; the Korean war, from 1950 to 1953; the Vietnam war, from 1965 to 1973; and the Persian Gulf War in 1991. This monument of stone, reflecting material blemishes from years of exposure to elements at central park, was recently refurbished. It was refurbished through the effort of many-- including the city of Concordia; American Legion Post 258 and auxiliary; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5649 and auxiliary; Concordia Area Heritage Society; Concordia Lions Club and Concordia Civic Club. Refurbished, the monument dedicated in 1923 is ready for rededication. I, therefore, rededicate the Doughboy Monument with this rite. May this monument of stone continue to project its message of commitment to liberty, peace and justice for all mankind to everyone who lives in and visits this community. May God grant it to stand enduringly as a symbol of peace and as a symbol of love for God and country in the town that chose the name Concordia as it sought peace and harmony following many painful experiences in the Civil War. As floodlights focus on the Doughboy Monument tonight we rededicate it to its mission. In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. [let the lights turn on]

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, Americans awakened today to good news, the rescue of Capt. Scott O'Grady, the F-16 pilot whose plane was shot down last week by rebel Serbs over Bosnia. The successful mission was performed by the Marine Expeditionary Force, commanded by Col. Marty Berndt. I share the pride in Captain O'Grady and the rescuing Marines that was so eloquently expressed earlier this morning by the President, our NATO Commander, Admiral Leighton Smith, and members of Captain O'Grady's family. I had the pleasure, Mr. Speaker, of congratulating Colonel Berndt by telephone just a few moments ago. He was personally along on the rescue mission. I have visited our troops participating in Operation Deny Flight, which includes an A-10 reserve wing from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. All Americans should be grateful for the courage and for the dedication to this dangerous mission. We must also continue to support those who risk their lives every day in training and combat, in peace and war. All Americans, Mr. Speaker, are proud of Captain O'Grady, the rescuing marines, and all who wear the American uniform.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to honor Rear Adm. Joseph Charles Strasser for his faithful and dedicated service to the U.S. Navy. In June 1995, Rear Admiral Strasser will retire from the Navy. For the past 5 years, Admiral Strasser has headed the Naval War College, bringing outstanding instruction in strategy and military affairs to officers of our country. Strasser was commissioned into the U.S. Navy in June 1963, after graduating from the Naval Academy. His initial assignment was as an exchange officer with the Argentine Navy. In July 1968, he began studying at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. There he earned a master's degree in international relations, a master's degree in international law and diplomacy, and a Doctor of Philosophy in political science. He went on to attend the command and staff course at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI. In January 1987, he was selected for promotion to rear admiral and In August of the following year he became the commander of of Battle Group Foxtrot, and set sail on the U.S.S. Enterprise for her around-the-world cruise. On July 17, 1990, Rear Admiral Strasser became the 45th president of the Naval War College. Rear Admiral Strasser has been awarded many decorations including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and various campaign and service ribbons. I know that this body joins me in wishing the best of luck to him as he becomes the CEO for Pennsylvania State-Dubois Campus. My congratulations and best wishes to Rear Admiral Strasser, his wife Barbara, and their four children.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, the 351st Missile Wing, Whiteman AFB, MO, under the command of Col. G.D. Blackmore, recently completed deactivation of its 150 Minuteman II Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles under the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and has today inactivated. This unit's accolades remain unparalleled in the annals of ICBM history. The only six-time winner of the ICBM missile competition, only simultaneous holder of the ICBM community's tripe crown of awards, and six Air Force outstanding unit awards are but a small part of the recognition of this wing's total contribution to our country's success in winning the cold war. The men and women of the 351st have continuously maintained a silent vigil in the rural countryside of west-central Missouri since 1963. Twenty-four hours a day, every day for 32 years, the 351st kept the deterrent posture that safeguarded our great Nation so very well. The 351st Missile Wing carried out this immense responsibility in tremendous style, and we, the citizens of this country, owe them a debt of thanks which cannot be repaid. The wing continued its pursuit of excellence even while deactivating. Everything this unit did was done using quality approaches, and that effort paid great dividends. From first place international public sector in my great State's Quality Award Program, to winning the Secretary of the Air Force Team Quality Award, to first place in Air Force Space Command's Unit Quality Award, the men and women of the 351st have become an example to the entire Air Force in trust, teamwork, and continuous improvement. Safety was the wing's No. 1 goal while deactivating and was the underlying philosophy of the unit. Nothing is more challenging than deactivation of a weapon system covering a 10,000-square-mile area in west-central Missouri, in all kinds of weather and conditions. Many of the tasks the wing performed during deactivation have never been done before at an operational unit. The 351st saved the Air Force over $163 million by returning items to the supply system. All of the arduous maintenance, security, and operations efforts were performed without incident, and this fact illustrates that the wing routinely turned the intricate into the commonplace. Safety was more than a phrase in the wing, it was a way of life--the safe conduct of all wing activities. The outstanding efforts of this wing have clearly established them as the benchmark for others to emulate. After more than 32 years of faithful and outstanding service to the Nation, the wing cased its flag for the final time today. The legacy of the Whiteman Warchiefs has been one of continuous excellence in every area of their mission. The 351st Missile Wing takes its place today as one of the finest units ever to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. I thank the gentleman.

Mr. SKELTON. So, in other words, the War Powers Act had it been in effect in 1940-41 would have affected what President Franklin Roosevelt did at the time, is that correct?