National STEM Education Tax Incentive for Teachers Act of 2011

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for allowing me to speak on this important resolution.

On behalf of our chairwoman, Judy Chu, and our Asian Pacific Caucus, I rise today in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 28, a resolution that would authorize the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II. I want to personally thank Senator Daniel Inouye for sponsoring this resolution, and I thank also my fellow Members of Congress and colleagues who join me in support of this important bill.

Mr. Speaker, as a Vietnam veteran and also as a former member of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Reserve Unit out of Honolulu, Hawaii, I am proud to say that we must recognize Senator Daniel Inouye and also the late Senator Spark Matsunaga, both of Hawaii, who distinguished themselves in battle as soldiers with the 100th Battalion and 442nd Infantry during World War II.

As we all know, Mr. Speaker, after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, there was such an outrage and cry for all- out war against Japan, days afterwards our President and the Congress officially declared war against Japan. Out of this retaliation against Japan, however, tens of thousands of Americans were caught in the crossfire. These Americans just happened to be of Japanese ancestry.

The Federal Government immediately implemented a policy whereby over 100,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry--men, women, and children--were forced to live in what we called relocation camps but were actually more like prison or concentration camps. Their lands, their homes, their properties were confiscated by the Federal Government without due process of law. It was a time in our Nation's history when there was so much hatred, bigotry, and racism against our fellow Americans who just happened to be of Japanese ancestry. Despite all of this, Mr. Speaker, over 10,000 Japanese Americans volunteered to join the U.S. military, despite the fact that their wives, their parents, their brothers and sisters are in prison behind barbed wire fences in these relocation camps.

As a result of such volunteerism, two combat units, the 100th Battalion and the 442nd Infantry Combat Group, were organized and immediately sent to fight Nazi Germany in Europe.

In my humble opinion, history speaks for itself in documenting that none have shed their blood more valiantly for our Nation than the Japanese American soldiers who served in these two combat units. These units suffered an unprecedented casualty rate of 314 percent. They emerged as the most decorated combat units of their size in the military history of the U.S. Army. The 100th Battalion and 442nd Infantry received over 18,000 individual decorations for bravery and courage in the field of battle, many awarded posthumously. They were awarded 53 Distinguished Service Crosses, 560 Silver Stars, 9,486 Purple Hearts, and 7 Presidential Unit Citations, the Nation's top award for combat units. And yet, ironically, only one Medal of Honor was awarded to these soldiers.

It was not until 1999 that Congress took corrective action by mandating a reexamination of why just one Medal of Honor was awarded to these Japanese American soldiers. As a result of the review process, President Clinton awarded 20 additional Congressional Medals of Honor to these brave Japanese American soldiers. And Senator Inouye was one of the recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

We should also note that while the 100th Battalion and 442nd Infantry were fighting on the front lines, thousands of Japanese Americans also joined the first military foreign language school, the Military Intelligence Service, where they learned Japanese.

During the war, about 6,000 MIS agents fought in all Army units in the Pacific and were assigned to Allied forces in Australia, Britain, China, Canada, and India. They staffed theater-level intelligence centers, and their duties included the 442nd infantry.

On October 5, 2010, President Obama granted the Congressional Gold Medal collectively to the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, as well as the 6,000 Japanese Americans who served in the Military Intelligence Service during World War II.

I believe that each one of these American heroes should be recognized for this high honor here in the heart of our Nation's capital, the U.S. Capitol, for their bravery, their patriotism, and their selfless service. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution to honor these men and women who valiantly served our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Chairwoman Chu, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Congresswoman Hirono, Congresswoman Hanabusa, and Congressman Honda,

I rise today in support of S. Con. Res. 28, a resolution that would authorize the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II. I thank Senator Daniel Inouye for sponsoring this resolution, and I thank my fellow members of Congress who join me in support of this important bill.

As a Vietnam veteran and also a former member of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Reserve Unit in Honolulu, Hawaii, I am especially proud to say that we must recognize Senator Daniel Inouye, and also highly- respected, the late Senator Spark Matsunaga of Hawaii, who distinguished themselves in battle as soldiers with the 100th Battalion and 442nd Infantry during World War II.

As we all know, after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, there was such an outrage and cry for an all out war against Japan and days afterwards our President and the Congress officially declared war against Japan. Out of this retaliation against Japan, however, tens of thousands of Americans were caught in the crossfire. These Americans just happened to be of Japanese ancestry.

The Federal Government immediately implemented a policy whereby over 100,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry were forced to live in what were called relocation camps, but were actually more like prison or concentration camps. Their lands, homes and properties were confiscated by the Federal Government without due process of law. It was a time in our Nation's history when there was so much hatred, bigotry and racism against our fellow Americans who happened to be of Japanese ancestry.

Despite all this, over ten thousand Japanese Americans volunteered to join the U.S. military, despite the fact that their wives, parents, brothers and sisters were imprisoned behind barbed wire fences in these relocation camps. As a result of such volunteerism, two combat units, the 100th Battalion and the 442nd Infantry Combat Group, were organized and immediately sent to fight Nazi Germany in Europe.

Mr. Speaker, in my humble opinion, history speaks for itself in documenting that none have shed their blood more valiantly for our Nation than the Japanese American soldiers who served in these two combat units. These units suffered an unprecedented casualty rate of 314 percent. They also emerged as the most decorated combat unit of their size in the history of the United States Army. The 100th Battalion and 442nd Infantry received over 18,000 individual decorations for bravery and courage in the field of battle, many awarded posthumously. They were awarded 53 Distinguished Service Crosses, 560 Silver Stars, 9,486 Purple Hearts, and 7 Presidential Unit Citations, the Nation's top award for combat units. And yet, only one Medal of Honor was awarded at the time.

It was not until 1999 that Congress took corrective action by mandating a reexamination of why just one Medal of Honor was awarded to these Japanese Americans. As a result of this review, President Clinton awarded 20 additional Congressional Medals of Honor to these brave Japanese-American soldiers.

It was while fighting in Europe that Senator Inouye lost his arm while engaged in his personal battle against two German machine gun posts. For his heroism, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Senator Inouye was also one of those recipients of the Medal of Honor and I was privileged to witness this historical moment at a White House ceremony.

Mr. Speaker, we should also note that while the 100th Battalion and 442nd Infantry were fighting on the front lines, thousands of Japanese Americans also joined the first U.S. military foreign language school, the Military Intelligence Service (also known as the M.I.S.), where they learned Japanese.

During the war, about 6,000 M.I.S. agents fought in all Army units in the Pacific and were assigned to allied forces in Australia, Britain, Canada, China, and India. They staffed theater-level intelligence centers and their duties included translating captured documents, interrogating prisoners of war, and listening to all enemy radio communications.

At Bougainville in 1942 an M.I.S. agent translated an uncoded Japanese radio transmission describing Admiral Yamamoto's inspection schedule of the bases around the Solomon Islands, thereby leading to the successful interception of Yamamoto's aircraft. This victory resulted in a boost in morale for the Allies in the Pacific since Admiral Yamamoto had directed the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

In 1944, the M.I.S. also translated the Japanese Imperial Navy's ``Z- Plan,'' which outlined defense strategies in the Pacific. The translation of this vital document made it possible for the U.S. Navy to gain victory in the Marianas, the Philippines, and in other areas of the Pacific.

At war's end, the M.I.S. facilitated local surrenders of Japanese forces as well as the occupation. Working in military government, war crimes trials, censorship, and counterintelligence, these silent warriors contributed to the occupation's ultimate success.

Though many would only come to know of these stories decades later, these brave Americans earned the respect of our Nation's military leaders at a time when many Americans saw them as enemies. President Harry Truman called the Japanese Americans in the M.I.S. the ``human secret weapon for the U.S. Armed Forces'' and General Willoughby, MacArthur's intelligence chief credited the M.I.S. Nisei with shortening the war by two years and saving possibly a million American lives. President Truman was also so moved by the bravery of the 100th Battalion and 442nd Infantry in the field of battle, as well as that of African American soldiers during World War II, that he issued an Executive Order to finally desegregate all branches of the Armed Services.

On October 5, 2010, President Barack Obama granted the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team as well as the 6,000 Japanese Americans who served in the Military Intelligence Service during World War II.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that each one of these American heroes should be recognized for this high honor here in the heart of our nation--the United States Capitol--for their bravery, patriotism, and selfless service. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution to honor these men and women who valiantly served our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 28) authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service, United States Army, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, this resolution honors those brave and courageous Japanese Americans who served in the U.S. Army's 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team, as well as those who served in the indispensable Military Intelligence Service.

The 100th Infantry Battalion fought valiantly in the treacherous Italian campaign, earning their nickname the Purple Heart Battalion because of their bravery and sacrifice.

The 442nd Regimental Combat Team was formed in 1943 from Japanese Americans living in relocation camps. A week after D-day, the 100th Battalion and the 442nd were merged into a single unit, which fought heroically in Europe, as seen in their rescue of the famous ``Lost Battalion'' in France near the German border.

These Japanese American units suffered enormously high casualty rates and received over 18,000 individual decorations, including 9,486 Purple Hearts. For their service in eight major campaigns in Italy and France, the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team earned eight Presidential Unit Citations.

Members of the Military Intelligence Service were Japanese Americans who served this country by intercepting radio messages, translating documents, writing leaflets encouraging opposing troops to surrender, and helping our forces understand the enemy we were fighting. In fact, according to General MacArthur's intelligence officer, Charles Willoughby, the efforts of the Military Intelligence Service ``shortened the war by 2 years.''

Mr. Speaker, Second Lieutenant Daniel Inouye, who received a battlefield commission in November 1944, was

one of these brave men. Gravely wounded in April 1945, Lieutenant Inouye received the Distinguished Service Cross. It is fitting and proper that our distinguished colleague in the other body sponsored this legislation, and I'm honored to speak in support of it here today.

I ask my colleagues to support this resolution authorizing use of Emancipation Hall in November for this Congressional Gold Medal ceremony.

House of Representatives,

Committee on House Administration,

Washington, DC, September 19, 2011.

Hon. John Boehner,

Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, The Capitol,

Washington, DC.

Dear Speaker Boehner: I write to formally notify you that

the Committee on House Administration hereby waives further

committee consideration of S. Con. Res. 28, a concurrent

resolution authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the

Capitol Visitor Center for an event to award the

Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry

Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military

Intelligence Service, United States Army, in recognition of

their dedicated service during World War II, in order that

the legislation may proceed expeditiously to the House floor

for consideration.

Sincerely,

Daniel E. Lungren,

Chairman.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. Con. Res. 28, the concurrent resolution authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service, United States Army, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II. This resolution awards well deserved recognition and the honor of the Congressional Gold Medal to the brave soldiers who dedicated their lives to service during World War II.

Emancipation Hall, located in the Capitol Visitor Center is a fitting location for recognizing these courageous patriots; in Emancipation Hall there stands a replica of the Statue of Freedom, the statue that sits atop the Capitol dome. The Statue of Freedom is described by Thomas Crawford, its creator, as an allegorical figure of freedom, ``triumphant in both war and peace.'' Triumphant in both war and peace. I can think of no place more appropriate to honor the brave men of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service. They chose to enter into military service, made a commitment to this country and to each other, fought for freedom, and were triumphant in war and peace.

The Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by Congress for outstanding deeds or acts of service to the security, prosperity, and national interest of the United States. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award. The men and women of the Armed Forces, past and present, devote their lives to the security, prosperity and national interest of the United States. It is a great honor and privilege to be able to recognize the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service, United States Army, for their dedicated service during World War II.

In 1944, the 100th battalion and the 442nd battalion merged to fight against Germany and defend freedom and democracy in Europe. Among the members of these battalions were many Hawaiians and Japanese Americans. Mr. Speaker, these are exemplary examples of bravery and the extraordinary measure of these men, who rose to meet a challenge and answered a call to defend the Nation. Their courage showed the world, and shows us today, that as a nation, our capacity to overcome may well be limitless.

The men of the Armed Forces in World War II fought to defend the very ideals on which our Nation was founded. The 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the MilitaryIntelligence Service risked their lives to defend that which Americans cherish, liberty, democracy, and the basic freedoms of the Constitution. They gave this Nation more than their support, they gave it their strength, and some gave their lives, in what Abraham Lincoln called ``the last full measure of devotion.''

Mr. Speaker, the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service deserve this honor, as they deserve our respect, our admiration, and our enduring gratitude. Their legacy of selfless patriotism lives on today, and serves as an example for all Americans. I am proud to support S. Con. Res. 28, a concurrent resolution authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to award the Congressional Gold Medal,

collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service, United States Army, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II. I am pleased to join my colleagues in supporting this very worthy resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. Con. Res. 28, which will allow the use of Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol for a Medal of Honor Ceremony.

During World War II, many members of University of Hawaii's Reserve Officers Training Corps, ROTC, were Nisei, the American-born sons of Japanese immigrants. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, these brave men aided the wounded, buried the fallen, and helped defend vulnerable areas in Hawaii.

Despite their bravery and loyalty to the United States, in January of 1942 the U.S. Army discharged all Nisei in the ROTC unit, deemed them ineligible for service, and segregated all Japanese-Americans out of their military units. Meanwhile, over a hundred thousand Japanese- Americans were forcibly moved from their homes to internment camps. This forced ouster forever changed the lives of these Japanese- Americans, many of whom lost their land and other property.

Nonetheless, members of the Hawaii Provisional Infantry Battalion, made up of Japanese-Americans, joined the 100th Infantry Battalion, also comprised of Japanese-Americans, to train as soldiers. President Roosevelt admired their bravery and determination, and decided to allow Nisei volunteers to serve in the military again, where they were incorporated into the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

Members of the 100th and the 442nd risked their lives to fight for our country and allies in Europe. The 442nd ``Go for Broke'' unit was sent repeatedly to the front lines. The 4,000 men who started in April 1943 needed to be replaced more than three times. The unit became the most decorated in U.S. military history for its size and length of service, with the 100th Infantry Battalion earning the nickname ``The Purple Heart Battalion.'' The 100th and the 442nd received seven Presidential Unit Citations, 21 Medals of Honor, 29 Distinguished Service Crosses, 560 Silver Stars, 4,000 Bronze Stars, 22 Legion of Merit Medals, 15 Soldier's Medals, and more than 4,000 Purple Hearts, among numerous additional distinctions. One of these Medal of Honor recipients is Hawaii's own senior Senator, Daniel K. Inouye, the sponsor of today's resolution.

The Army's Military Intelligence Service, MIS, was composed of about 6,000 Japanese-American soldiers who conducted covert intelligence missions, including translating enemy documents, interrogating enemy prisoners of wars, intercepting radio transmissions, and persuading enemy combatants to surrender. The contributions of the MIS have only recently come to light and been publicly acknowledged.

Last year Congress passed and President Obama signed into a law a bill to collectively award the Medal of Honor to Japanese American Veterans of the 442nd Regiment, the 100th Infantry Battalion, and the Military Intelligence Service. It was a distinct honor to be present at the bill signing and meet several of these heroes in person.

Today's resolution allows the use of Emancipation Hall on November 2, 2011 in the U.S. Capitol for a ceremony to present the Medal of Honor to these brave Japanese-American veterans for their service and sacrifice during World War II. Many veterans from Hawaii or their next- of-kin will travel a great distance to attend this ceremony.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

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

On October 5, 2010, President Obama signed into law S. 1055, a bill granting the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service the Congressional Gold Medal. This concurrent resolution authorizes use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center to award the Congressional Gold Medal to these brave service men and women in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II.

The 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service were compromised predominately of Japanese Americans during World War II. At that time, many of the soldiers' families were subject to internment and discrimination, yet these courageous Americans fought with distinction and valor.

Collectively, the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team became the most highly decorated unit of its size and length in the history of the United States Army, receiving seven Presidential Unit Citations, 21 Medals of Honor, 29 Distinguished Service Crosses, 560 Silver Stars, 4,000 Bronze Stars, 22 Legion of Merit Medals, 15 Soldier's Medals and over 4,000 Purple Hearts.

The contributions of Japanese Americans were not limited to the front line. The Military Intelligence Service provided critical classified information that was vital to the success of the United States military in the Pacific theater.

The recognition of these Americans is overdue, and Emancipation Hall is a befitting place to bestow this award for the sacrifice and dedication that was shown in the face of discrimination.

Join with me today in supporting this concurrent resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).

(Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano).

I yield the lady 1 additional minute.

I now yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott).

Again, I urge all Members to support this resolution. I'm extremely proud myself to support it. My father was a member of the United States Marine Corps that served in the Pacific theater, and I'm sure he was very proud of the Japanese men and women that were out there supporting and helping him.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.