Expressing deep gratitude for the valor and commitment of the members of the United States Armed Forces who were deployed in Operation Restore Hope to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Somalia in 1993.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 291) expressing deep gratitude for the valor and commitment of the members of the United States Armed Forces who were deployed in Operation Restore Hope to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Somalia in 1993.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within

which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Con. Res. 291, the concurrent resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I do have a statement that I wish to make; but I want to begin by first yielding to the author of this resolution, a gentleman with whom I have had the honor and the opportunity and the pleasure to work both as a member of the Committee on Armed Services and also as a colleague who I know cares very deeply about the sacrifices and the commitments that our men and women in the military make as well as their families; and I want to thank him for his leadership and his observance over this very timely resolution and this very important anniversary date.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes).

(Mr. HAYES asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks, and include extraneous material.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline), who knows what it means to wear the uniform of the United States of America, a former distinguished officer in the United States Marine Corps and a gentleman who, in a very short period of time, has distinguished himself as a very important member of the Committee on Armed Services and someone with whom I just had the opportunity, and to the extent possible, the happy occasion of traveling to Iraq with, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline).

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I did want to add a few words to those spoken so eloquently by my colleagues, and let me thank the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) for her management of this bill and, of course, for her great work as an esteemed member of the Committee on Armed Services, and also the ranking member, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Snyder), of the Subcommittee on Total Force, who is my partner on these issues. We are all part of a team that is very honored today to have this opportunity to present this very worthy, in my estimation, resolution for consideration to the full House. Let me again thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes) for his effort and leadership in bringing this measure to the floor at this time.

Certainly, there are many perspectives today with respect to Operation Restore Hope and the battle at Mogadishu, a great deal of debate as to what happened prior to, what happened during, and as the aftermath of that, from the small ``p'' political perspective; but I would like to believe, and in fact I do believe, very strongly that there is absolutely no debate, no controversy with respect to what happened in Somalia and what happened during the battle of Mogadishu with respect to the incredibly brave and incredibly effective service of those members of our Armed Forces who were there as part of Operation Restore Hope. They were there for one reason. They were there to try to make a country safe for international relief organizations to administer humanitarian assistance.

When those same members who were there for the most peaceful of reasons were called into combat, they fought with incredible honor and skill, and as we have heard here this afternoon, incredible courage.

I do have somewhat of a personal stake in this resolution, Madam Speaker. I was very pleased to hear all of my colleagues speak very graciously about the contributions and sacrifices of the 10th Mountain Division during that particular day, that particular battle. The 10th Mountain Division is deployed out of Fort Drum which is just outside of Watertown, New York, my hometown, and still part of my district back in the State of New York. And specifically, it was the soldiers of the 14th Infantry Regiment, the Golden Dragons, who manned the relief column that ended the Mogadishu fight. It was those same Fort Drum troops that fought through the city for some 12 hours while under continuous heavy fire to clear an evacuation route for the incredibly brave Army Rangers and Delta Force commandos who had been pinned down by forces loyal to the Somali warlord, Mohammed Farah Aidid that day.

During that battle, 18 heroes were killed in total, but two of those troops were from the 10th Mountain Division. Also, 28 were wounded. The two soldiers whose lives were lost that day were Sergeant Cornell Houston and Private First Class James Martin, and I want to add my words of condolences and greatest sympathy, but also greatest appreciation to those two soldiers' families, and to all of the families of the soldiers, not just in the 10th, but in the Armed Services committed to that battle over that period of time in Mogadishu for their incredible sacrifice and for their devotion.

Their courage was uncommon insofar as those of us lesser mortals are concerned. The courage that was shown in Mogadishu and shown in Somalia, however, I think is very symptomatic, not common, nothing that extraordinary could be called common, but that remarkable demonstration of all that makes up our great Armed Services, and things we see every day today in Iraq and Afghanistan and Bosnia and Kosovo; in theater after theater, the men and women not just of the United States Army but of all of the branches of our Armed Services display on our behalf and on behalf of others, simply trying to give people a chance to be free.

This resolution is important because it signifies an incredibly vital anniversary in the history of the United States military, an important anniversary in their incredible contributions and sacrifices on behalf of others, but it is also important for the symbolism, that symbolism that continues today on the streets of Baghdad, that symbolism that continues today on the streets of Kabul and other places, men and women in uniform from villages large and small, from cities medium and large from the United States, who go to these strange, far-away places for one reason, to try to make people's lives better. That is why when people say we are proud to be Americans, we can say it with such conviction.

Madam Speaker, I again thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes), and add a final word of urging to all of the Members of the House to vote in support of this great resolution.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the 26 votes I missed during the period October 29th through October 31st due to my participation in an official Congressional delegation to Iraq approved by you. Although I regret these missed votes, there is no question that that trip was indispensable to a more complete understanding of our intervention in Iraq.

I wish to state for the Record how I would have voted on these 26 votes.

On rollcall votes 580, 584, 585, 588, 589, and 590, motions to adjourn, I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall vote 581, approval of the journal, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall vote 576, passage of H.R. 1720, the Veterans Health Care Facilities Capital Improvement Act, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall vote 577, passage of H.R. 1516, the National Cemetery Expansion Act of 2003, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall vote 578, passage of H.R. 3365, the Fallen Patriots Tax Relief Act, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall vote 579, passage of H. Res. 414, to encourage the People's Republic of China to fulfill its commitments under international trade agreements, support the United States manufacturing sector, and establish monetary and financial market reforms, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall vote 582, passage of H. Con. Res. 291, expressing deep gratitude for the valor and commitment of the members of the United States Armed Forces who were deployed in Operation Restore Hope to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Somalia in 1993, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall vote 583, passage of H.J. Res. 75, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2004, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall 584, on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 422, providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 2115, FAA Reauthorization Act, I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall vote 587, on passage of H. Res. 422, providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 2115, FAA Reauthorization Act, I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall vote 591, motion to recommit the conference report to accompany H.R. 2115, FAA Reauthorization Act, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall vote 592, passage of H.R. 2115, FAA Reauthorization Act, I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall 593, passage of H. Res. 409, repudiating anti-Semitic remarks expressed by Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall vote 594, motion to recommit the conference report to accompany H.R. 2691, the FY2004 Department of Interior Appropriations Act, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall vote 595, passage of the conference report to accompany H.R. 2691, the FY2004 Department of Interior Appropriations Act, I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall 596, passage of H. Con. Res 302, expressing a sense of Congress welcoming President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan to the United States on October 31, 2003, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall vote 597, on agreeing to H. Res. 421, waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules (martial law for consideration of H.R. 3289, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations), I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall vote 598, the Johnson motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2003, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall vote 599, the Davis motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 1, the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall vote 600, motion to recommit with instructions H.R. 3289, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Defense and for the Reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan for FY2004, I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall vote 601, agreeing to the conference report to accompany H.R. 3289, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Defense and Reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to confirm my position on these important votes during my necessary absence.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution introduced by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes). The resolution before us expresses our Nation's gratitude to those who served in the Armed Forces and were deployed in Operation Restore Hope to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Somalia in 1993. What began as a humanitarian relief operation in December 1992 to distribute food supplies and prevent the starvation of thousands in Somalia, turned into one of the most intense and bloody battles for U.S. troops since the Vietnam War.

On October 3, 1993, Task Force Ranger, comprised of Army Special Forces, Navy SEALS, Army special operations helicopter forces and Air Force Special Tactics personnel, headed out that fateful morning to search and capture the Somali warlord Mohammed Farah Aidid. As the conflict began to escalate, the soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division provided additional quick reaction combat support for the 17- hour battle of Mogadishu.

That evening, Americans would watch the news in shock and horror as the bodies of American soldiers were dragged through the streets of Mogadishu that tragic day. Over 100 of our Nation's brave combatants were wounded. Eighteen warriors made the ultimate sacrifice, and two of those who died showed uncommon valor and courage and were awarded our Nation's highest honor, the Medal of Honor, and one became a prisoner of war.

Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart were both posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions above and beyond the call of duty. Master Sergeant Gordon and Sergeant First Class Shughart volunteered to secure a helicopter crash site and protect its critically wounded crew, despite the intense gunfire and growing number of enemy personnel closing in. They embodied the bold courage and self-sacrifice of America's soldiers, and, ultimately, willingly gave their lives to protect their comrades in arms.

Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant survived the helicopter crash and was pulled from the wreckage by Master Sergeant Gordon and Sergeant First Class Shughart. Chief Warrant Officer Durant was the only one to survive, and was captured by enemy forces. He was held nearly 2 weeks as a prisoner of war before being released.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the battle of Mogadishu and Operation Restore Hope. I am very pleased to join with my colleagues from New York and North Carolina in recognizing the brave and courageous actions of the Special Forces and the soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division and members of the Armed Forces who were deployed in Operation Restore Hope. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of those who lost a loved one or were wounded in the battle of Mogadishu.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in expressing our appreciation to all those who volunteer to defend our Nation's freedom and to remember the sacrifices of all those who serve.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am very honored to join with my colleagues today, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes), the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline), and particularly the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) for his dedication in this area. I am pleased to join with my colleagues in expressing deep gratitude for the valor and commitment of the members of the Armed Forces who were deployed in Operation Restore Hope to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Somalia in 1993. I think that we need to be reminded, all of us, of the lessons learned from Operation Restore Hope, and keep that in our hearts and in our minds as we move forward in this Congress.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I voted in favor of this legislation because I do believe it is important to express our gratitude to our armed forces, and particularly to remember those who lost their lives in Somalia in Operation Restore Hope. Indeed, members of our armed forces have been asked to make extraordinary sacrifices in this post Cold War era, as US military presence across the globe has, despite what many of us hoped, increased significantly and military deployments into hostile situations have also increased.

Mr. Speaker, while I do want to join those praising members of our armed forces, I must point out that legislation like H. Con. Res. 291 is dishonest and actually disrespectful to our military. It is obvious that praising the soldiers is only one small part of this legislation. Under cover of this praise is an attempt to re-write history and to praise a foreign policy that sends our military into useless and meaningless battle zones, like Somalia, where they are asked to fight and die for a cause completely unrelated to the US national interest. It is shameful for legislators to wrap themselves in the sacrifice of our troops in praise of a policy that does not serve the United States and ends up getting these same troops killed and maimed.

The legislation states, falsely, that our failed Somali nation- building fiasco was somehow related to the war against terrorism. This attempt at revisionist history is more than dishonest: it is likely interventions like these actually increased resentment of the US and may have even led to more recruits to terrorist organizations.

This legislation expresses gratitude for our troops' ``provid[ing] humanitarian assistance to the people of Somalia in 1993.'' I see nowhere in our Constitution a provision that allows the United States armed forces to be used for the purpose of ``provid[ing] humanitarian assistance'' to any foreign country or people. Our armed forces are to be used in defense of our homeland. Period. So I am deeply disturbed by legislation such as this. Yes, we must honor troops, but we cannot honor a foreign policy that sends them into harm's way for ``nation- building'' or ``humanitarian assistance'' or any other reason not directly related to the defense of the United States. I hope the next time we see legislation congratulating the brave service of our armed forces it is more honest. Our servicemembers deserve at least this, do they not?

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me this time, and I appreciate the persistence with which he pursues his duties on the Committee on Armed Services, or more particularly the Subcommittee on Total Force, or personnel, as we know it more intimately.

Mr. Speaker, just 10 years ago, on October 3, 1993, 18 U.S. servicemen were killed and another 111 wounded in Operation Restore Hope. Often known by Mark Bowden's book and screenplay ``Black Hawk Down,'' this was the major battle of the United States operation to capture key members of the Somalia National Alliance led by terrorist warlord Mohammed Farah Aided in Mogadishu, Somalia. Task Force Ranger, which led the assault, was composed of Army Special Forces, Navy SEALS, Army Special Operations Helicopter Forces, and Air Force Special Tactics personnel. Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division supported the lead units as well.

For their heroic and valiant deeds, Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Today, it is only right and proper that we take a moment to express our deep gratitude for the valor and commitment of the members of the United States Armed Forces who were deployed in Operation Restore Hope.

As we continue to fight and win the global war on terrorism and support our troops deployed abroad, we must also recognize those members of Operation Restore Hope. They served with honor, they served with courage in the battle and efforts to restore freedom to an oppressed nation. These men represent and embody the special and unique qualities that make America great.

We have the opportunity today to honor the heroic service of the Special Operations Forces assigned to Task Force Ranger and the soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division who supported the operation.

On behalf of a grateful Nation, I wish to also extend my sincere condolences to the families and friends of those killed and wounded in Operation Restore Hope. We must never forget the service and sacrifice of the members of the United States Armed Forces who were deployed in Operation Restore Hope. God bless these men and their families and loved ones, and may God bless America.