A resolution relative to the death of Daniel Patrick Moynihan, former United States Senator for the State of New York.

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 I am submitting a resolution recognizing October 12, 2003, through October 18, 2003, as National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Week. I am pleased to be joined by thirteen of my colleagues who are original cosponsors of the bill. We are hopeful that greater awareness of cystic fibrosis (CF) will lead to a cure.

The resolution is similar to one which I introduced in the 107th Congress, S. Res. 270, which was agreed to by unanimous consent on October 3, 2002. Since then, I have received input from the National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) and the National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Committee (NCFAC) and have updated the information accordingly. Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common fatal genetic diseases in the United States and there is no known cure. It affects approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States. As recently as 25 years ago, most children born with cystic fibrosis died in early childhood and few survived to their teenage years. Today, most can expect to live past 30. The difference stems from productive research which has led to an understanding of the way cystic fibrosis causes life-threatening damage and to the development of preventive techniques and treatments.

While there is no cure, early detection and prompt treatment can significantly improve and extend the lives of those with CF. My home state of Colorado was one of the first states to require CF screening for newborns. Happily, more states are now performing this simple test.

And, since the discovery of the defective CF gene in 1989, CF research has greatly accelerated. I am proud that Colorado is home to the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, including the Children's Hospital, the National Jewish Medical and Research Center and the Anschutz Centers for Advanced Medicine, all of which are actively involved in CF research and care. The Children's Hospital is one of fourteen innovative Therapeutics Development Centers nationwide performing cutting edge clinical research to develop new treatments for

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.

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

Mr. Speaker, there is no greater gift a person can give to his or her country than to serve in the Armed Forces. Today, we honor the thousands of soldiers, men and women, serving our country at home in the United States and around the world, as well as the millions of Americans who have served in years past.

While our reasons for going to Iraq, or any other war, for that matter, can be questioned and scrutinized, one issue that should remain above the political fray is the profound courage that has always been exhibited by our troops. They have always honored America by protecting our Nation both at home and abroad in a manner befitting a great nation. Today our Nation turns to them and says, ``Thank you.''

Over 500 Americans have lost their lives thus far in Iraq, and it is crucial to the future of both our Nation and other nations that Americans, both young and old, understand that without these soldiers and the countless

others who have died in wars past, making this ultimate sacrifice, there would be no America as we know it today.

The tremendous freedoms we all enjoy, including freedom of speech, the right to representation in government and the right to assemble were all earned because tremendous human beings were willing to fight for those freedoms. Although no gesture can ever do justice to the work done by our men and women of the Armed Forces, with the designation of a National Military Appreciation Month, our Nation can do no more to thank these brave Americans for the unbelievable service they have provided to all of us.

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

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment under the provisions of S. Res. 99 as a further mark of respect for our friend and colleague, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, following the remarks of Senator Sessions for up to 10 minutes.