A resolution expressing the gratitude of the United States Senate for the service of Arthur J. Rynearson, Deputy Legislative Counsel of the United States Senate.

Mr. President, I am pleased to submit a Senate Resolution calling on North Korea to return the USS Pueblo to the United States Navy. The legislation I am reintroducing today is based on a resolution I introduced last year during the 107th Congress, Senate Resolution 246.

On January 23, 1968, the USS Pueblo was unjustly attacked and captured by

the North Korean Navy, becoming the first United States Navy ship to be hijacked on the high seas by a foreign military force in over 150 years. At the time of its capture, the USS Pueblo was operating as an intelligence collection auxiliary vessel, and did not pose a threat.

This act of aggression resulted in the USS Pueblo's 82 crew members being held in captivity for eleven months, often in inhumane conditions. Another brave crew member, Duane Hodges, was killed during the initial attack and several more crew members were wounded. On December 23, 1968, after nearly a year of being unjustly detained the surviving USS Pueblo crew members were finally released and allowed to return home.

It is interesting to note that the USS Pueblo I am calling on the North Koreans to return today is in fact the third ship of the fleet to be named in honor of the city and county of Pueblo, located in my home State of Colorado. The first ship of the fleet to be named in honor of Pueblo was an armored cruiser which had previously been named the Colorado. In 1916, the USS Colorado was renamed as the USS Pueblo when a new battleship named USS Colorado was authorized. The first USS Pueblo served until 1927. The second USS Pueblo was a city class frigate which served from 1944 to 1946. She was later sold to the Dominican Republic where she serves today.

The third USS Pueblo is the ship now wrongly held by the North Koreans. Built by the Kewaunee Shipbuilding and Engineering Corporation, Kewaunee, WI, the ship originally served as a general purpose supply vessel FP-344 for service in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps when she was launched on April 16, 1944. During 1966 and 1967 the ship was converted, redesignated as the USS Pueblo and commissioned as an environmental research vessel, AGER-2.

It is important to note that even to this day the capture of the USS Pueblo has resulted in no reprisal against North Korea, demonstrating remarkable restraint by the United States. Even though the USS Pueblo still clearly remains the legal property of the United States Navy, the North Korean Government has kept it on display as a sort of traveling propaganda museum.

Recent events have made it clear that many unresolved issues remain regarding our Nation's relationship with North Korea. For example, North Korea's recent high-profile resumption of nuclear saber-rattling presents a serious resurgent challenge that we, our allies in Northeast Asia and the rest of the world community must take seriously.

While I certainly agree that successfully resolving this situation is first and foremost, I also believe that there are other positive restorative steps that the North Koreans should take in order to help improve our bilateral relationship. One such action would be to return the USS Pueblo to its rightful owners, the United States Navy and the American people they serve and protect.

While returning the USS Pueblo may not necessarily remove the 35 year-old scars inflicted by the attack of January 23, 1968, and especially those suffered by the crew of the USS Pueblo and by their families and loved ones, it would serve as a good will gesture, a salve if you will, signaling hope for a brighter future between our two nation's peoples.

I stand with my colleagues back home in the Colorado State General Assembly in demanding the return of the USS Pueblo to the United States Navy.

I urge my colleagues here in the U.S. Senate to join me in supporting passage of this important resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 328) recognizing and honoring the United States Armed Forces and supporting the designation of a National Military Appreciation Month, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 328, as amended

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

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Government Reform, I am very pleased that the House is considering House Concurrent Resolution 328. During the 106th Congress, on April 30, 1999, the United States Senate passed Senate Resolution 99 that called for May of 1999 to be signified as National Military Appreciation Month. Today's resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 328, supports the goals and ideals of National Military Appreciation Month. As the war on terror continues, this is an appropriate piece of legislation for the House to pass today.

The Members of our Armed Forces have fought to preserve freedom for the American people for over 200 years. Recently, new challenges have confronted our brave military men and women since the horrific attacks on our Nation of September 11, 2001. Our soldiers have courageously and effectively carried out remarkable missions in Afghanistan and Iraq that respectively intended to disrupt the terrorist networks and to end the regime of dictator Saddam Hussein.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, the United States Armed Forces have dramatically expanded their presence in the Middle East and Central Asia into once unthinkable locations, such as former Soviet republics. These new bases seek to strengthen American alliances with friendly countries and to protect the citizens of countless nations across the globe.

Indeed, the war on terror has tested our armed services, and I am proud to reported that our servicemen and women have responded very honorably.

In addition to the war on terror, nearly 1,800 United States soldiers have defended the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince in recent weeks as well. Unquestionably, our great Nation and, indeed, the entire world is a safer place because of their commitment and their sacrifice.

Mr. Speaker, I know that the sponsor of this resolution, the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, wanted to be here for consideration of this legislation. Consistent with my earlier request for general leave, I will submit his statement on House Concurrent Resolution 328 in writing. I commend the gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Tom Davis) for this important resolution, and I urge every Member of this House to support its adoption.

I salute all of our Nation's gallant servicemen and women.

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

Mr. Speaker, I simply would urge all Members to support the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 328, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. President, today the Senate expresses its appreciation and best wishes to one of the great unsung heroes who make this institution work.

Art Rynearson, the Senate's Deputy Legislative Counsel, is retiring after over 26 years of exemplary service to this body. Art has been a backstage participant in many historic foreign policy decisions of the Senate, assisting the Foreign Relations Committee to draft both legislation and resolutions of advice and consent to ratification of treaties. His actions were rarely recognized or noticed by the public, but his contributions were essential. Art's job was to ensure that our legislation clearly expressed the intent of the committee and that it meshed properly with existing law. He accomplished that through marvelous attention to detail and a complete absence of partisanship.

During the past 6 years, during which I have served as either the chairman or ranking member of the committee, Art has borne a heavy burden--working on such matters as the Chemical Weapons Convention, NATO enlargement, and major legislation to restructure America's foreign policy agencies. The committee owes him a great debt.

It is not overstatement to say that the Senate could not function without people like Art Rynearson. Every day--and many a night--he was there, unfailingly courteous and professional, ready to assist the committee's members and staff to draft and refine legislation for consideration by the committee and the Senate. His knowledge of foreign relations and immigration law, gained through his many years of service, will not be easily replaced.

I know that I speak for all of my colleagues on the Foreign Relations Committee in saying thank you to Art Rynearson. We wish him and his wife, Mary, every happiness as he begins his next stage in life.

Mr. President, I rise to commend Mr. Art Rynearson, the Deputy Legislative Counsel of the Senate, who retires on January 31, 2003, after serving in the Senate for more than 26 years, including more than 3 years as Deputy Legislative Counsel.

As President pro tempore of the Senate, it is my pleasure to oversee the work of the Office of the Legislative Counsel. I appreciate the great dedication and professionalism Art Rynearson has displayed in his role as an attorney in the Office and in his service as Deputy Legislative Counsel.

The Office of Legislative Counsel plays a very important role in the legislative process. We all rely upon the attorneys in the office to provide legislative drafts to effectively carry out our legislative policy. Mr. Rynearson, in his role as Deputy Legislative Counsel, has helped to see that we are all served well by a professional, career, and nonpartisan staff.

In addition to his service as Deputy Legislative Counsel, Art Rynearson served for more than 26 years as the principal drafter in the Senate on virtually all matters relating to international relations, international security, immigration and the State Department, and all matters relating to Senate consideration of international treaties. He served the Senate well in that regard, with a commanding knowledge of international law and the dedication to put in long hours in service of the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Mr. President, I am proud to sponsor this resolution, and I am proud to have known and worked with Art Rynearson. He has served his Nation well for over 28 years, including 2 years with the Library of Congress. I wish Art and his wife, Mary Linda, the very best for the future, especially time spent enjoying their retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 328 and urge my colleagues to do so as well.

Throughout the course of American history, nearly 48 million men and women have dedicated their lives to the defense of our land, our people and our principles as members of the Armed Forces. The strength of the United States is a direct result of their courageous, patriotic and dedicated service.

Last year, I introduced this important resolution to recognize and honor both those who have served throughout our history and those serving around the world today, and to support the goals and objectives of National Military Appreciation Month. This resolution is a follow-on effort to Senate Resolution 33, introduced by Senator McCain in the 106th Congress and unanimously passed by the Senate on April 30, 1999.

While we always appreciate the men and women of the military, it is fitting that we set aside time to do so publicly. National Military Appreciation Month seeks to coordinate and provide a framework to do so by capitalizing on the various observations throughout the month of May, including Loyalty Day, the National day of Prayer, Military Spouses Day, Victory in Europe Day, Armed Forces Day, and Memorial Day.

Many groups are already supporting these efforts through various means, and they should be applauded. With passage of this resolution we call on federal, state and local entities, civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, businesses, the media and all Americans to commemorate and celebrate the men and women of our Armed Forces. It is exactly what a grateful nation should do.

I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this important resolution.