Prevention Through Affordable Access Act of 2009

Mr. Speaker, sixty years ago, the United States, joined by Great Britain, Australia, and South Africa embarked on a historic operation to sustain and defend the vulnerable, entrapped people of Berlin, Germany. The Berlin Airlift was a colossal strategic mission that inspired strength and fortitude in those held captive by then Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin's blockade of the Western-held sectors of Berlin. Today, this Congress honors those responsible for this noble feat.

The Veterans of the Berlin Airlift struck the first major blow in the new Cold War, forcing Stalin on May 12, 1949, to lift the blockade that impoverished Germany's capitol, thwarting the fall of the Iron Curtain over the Western strongholds.

These airmen embodied the highest virtues of American air defense, fusing tactical brilliance and innovation with goodness and heart in one of the greatest humanitarian efforts of all time. In providing food, coal, and medical supplies to the besieged citizens of West Berlin, our veterans of the ``Greatest Generation'' led a seminal goodwill offensive that alleviated the suffering inflicted by a communist regime that threatened not only the peace and prosperity of Berlin, but the peace and prosperity of the world.

As Col. Gail Halvorsen and his colleagues carpeted the streets of Berlin with chocolates and candy during Operation Little Vittles, they drew the hearts and minds of Berlin's children to notions of goodness and liberty, and away from the pervasive communist propaganda that sought to turn them against the West.

As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, let us remember the veterans who exemplified our highest ideals of brilliance and innovation in air defense, and whose integrity and dedication to liberty have inspired so many vulnerable people throughout the world. Their example renews our faith in the power of freedom and goodness to prevail over tyranny.

As memories of World War II and the Berlin Blockade fade with the passing years, I believe it is even more important to commemorate the spirit of kindness that led our veterans to bring hope and joy to the weary and beleaguered citizens of Berlin. May we honor their legacy and follow their example.

I am grateful for this opportunity to commemorate this noble endeavor and to honor the memory of those who are surely with us in spirit, those who gave the last full measure of devotion to a cause greater than themselves, a cause that changed the course of history for the better.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 398) recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift's success.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 3949, as amended, and H. Res. 398.

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

Before I talk about the importance of the resolution before us today, I want to thank the Committee on Armed Services for working with the Veterans' Affairs Committee to bring this bill to the floor. And I include for the Congressional Record the exchange of letters waiving jurisdiction between the Committee of Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services.

Committee on Armed Services,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC, October 6, 2009.

Hon. Bob Filner,

Chairman, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Cannon House

Office Building, Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: On May 4, 2009, the House Resolution

398, ``Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Berlin

Airlift's success,'' was introduced in the House. As you

know, this measure was sequentially referred to the Committee

on Armed Services.

Our Committee recognizes the importance of H.R. 398 and the

need for the legislation to move expeditiously. Therefore,

while we have a valid claim to jurisdiction over this

legislation, the Committee on Armed Services will waive

further consideration of H.R. 398. I do so with the

understanding that by waiving further consideration of the

resolution, the Committee does not waive any future

jurisdictional claims over similar measures.

I would appreciate the inclusion of this letter and a copy

of your response in the Congressional Record during

consideration of the measure on the House floor.

Very truly yours,

Ike Skelton

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to unanimously support H. Res. 398, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 398, a resolution recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift's success.

The Berlin blockade from June 1948 to May 1949 was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War and the first such crisis that resulted in casualties. During the multinational occupation of post-World War II Germany, the Soviet Union blocked the Western Allies' railway and road access to the sectors of Berlin under their control. Their aim was to force the Western powers to allow the Soviet zone to start supplying Berlin with food and fuel, thereby giving the Soviets practical control over the entire city.

The Truman administration reacted quickly by setting up a continual daily airlift that brought much-needed food and supplies into the city of West Berlin. This airlift lasted until the end of September 1949, even though the Soviet Government yielded and lifted the blockade itself on May 12, 1949. The Berlin Airlift resulted in the total delivery of 1,783,573 tons of supplies by the United States and 541,937 tons of supplies totaling 2,300,000 tons delivered on 277,569 total flights into Berlin.

Mr. Speaker, the resolution not only details a history of the Berlin Airlift, but also provides a list of all the units involved in the heroic effort at that time. The Berlin Airlift sent a clear message to the Soviet Union that the United States was unwavering in its resolve against tyranny in Europe.

I would like to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry), for introducing this legislation, as well as Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer for moving the bill as quickly as they could through the subcommittee and to full consideration here on the House floor today.

I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 398.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, so I yield back the balance of my time.