[Congressional Bills 110th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H. Con. Res. 246 Introduced in House (IH)] 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. CON. RES. 246 Honoring the United States Marine Corps for serving and defending the United States on the anniversary of its founding on November 10, 1775. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 6, 2007 Ms. Shea-Porter (for herself and Mr. Hayes) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services _______________________________________________________________________ CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Honoring the United States Marine Corps for serving and defending the United States on the anniversary of its founding on November 10, 1775. Whereas, on November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia passed a resolution stating that ``two Battalions of Marines be raised'' for service as landing forces with the fleet; Whereas this resolution establishing the Continental Marines marked the birth date of the United States Marine Corps; Whereas these first Marines distinguished themselves in a number of important operations, including their first amphibious raid into the Bahamas in March 1776, under the command of Captain Samuel Nicholas, who became the first commissioned officer in the Continental Marines and is considered to be the first Marine Commandant; Whereas following the Revolutionary War and the formal re-establishment of the Marine Corps on July 11, 1798, Marines saw action in the quasi-war with France, landed in Santo Domingo, and took part in many operations against the Barbary pirates along the ``Shores of Tripoli''; Whereas Marines took part in numerous naval operations during the War of 1812, as well as participating in the defense of Washington and fought alongside Andrew Jackson in the defeat of the British at New Orleans; Whereas the Marines seized enemy seaports on both the Gulf and Pacific coasts during the Mexican War; Whereas a battalion of Marines joined General Winfield Scott's army at Pueblo and fought to the ``Halls of Montezuma'', Mexico City; Whereas Marines preserved the Union both ashore and afloat during the U.S. Civil War at Bull Run, Cape Hatteras, New Orleans, Charleston, and Fort Fisher; Whereas the Marines fought gallantly in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines during the Spanish-American War; Whereas the Marines saw active service in the Philippine Insurrection, the Boxer Rebellion and in Nicaragua, Panama, Cuba, Mexico, and Haiti during the early 1900s; Whereas more than 30,000 Marines served in World War I and distinguished themselves on the battlefields of France and Belgium at Belleau Wood, Soissons, St. Michiel, Blanc Mont, and in the Meuse-Argonne offensive; Whereas Marine aviation also supported the war effort in the skies over Europe; Whereas 485,113 Marines served during World War II in Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Tarawa, New Britain, Kwajalein, Eniwetok, Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa and lost 87,000 killed and wounded; Whereas the Marines served honorably at Inchon and Seoul and the Chosin Reservoir in operations defending South Korea from 1950 to 1955; Whereas Marines have served in the defense of freedom and peace in Lebanon in 1955; Whereas the Marine Corps protected and evacuated Americans from the Dominican Republic in 1965; Whereas the Marine Corps suffered 13,000 killed and more than 88,000 wounded in Vietnam; Whereas the Marines have protected dignitaries and embassies throughout the world like the Embassy in Beirut in 1982; Whereas the Marine Corps intervened in Granada and Panama in the 1980s to protect American lives and restore the democratic processes; Whereas the Marine Corps sent 24 infantry battalions, 40 squadrons, and 92,000 Marines to defend Kuwait and Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm; Whereas the Marine Corps also engaged in non-combatant evacuation operations in Liberia and Somalia during Desert Storm; Whereas the Marine Corps participated in humanitarian lifesaving operations in Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Northern Iraq during Desert Storm; Whereas the Marine Corps served in Somalia on humanitarian relief operations from 1992 to 1994; Whereas the Marine Corps supported Operation Deny Flight in the no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina; Whereas the Marines were called on to evacuate U.S. citizens from Rwanda in 1994; Whereas the Marine Corps engaged in democracy restoration efforts in Haiti in 1994; Whereas the Marine Corps has deployed to several African nations, including Liberia, the Central African Republic, Zaire, and Eritrea to provide security and assist in the evacuation of American citizens during periods of political and civil instability in those nations; Whereas the Marine Corps has engaged in humanitarian and disaster relief operations in Kenya, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala; Whereas Marine units deployed to Kosovo in support of Operation Allied Force; Whereas the Marine Corps has played a pivotal role in Operation Enduring Freedom, toppling the Taliban and dismantling the Al Qaeda terrorist network; Whereas 76,000 Marines have deployed to combat operations in Iraq; Whereas Marines have earned the Navy Cross 17 times, the Silver Star 74 times, the Bronze Star 1,896 times, the Bronze Star with ``V'' 866 times, and the Purple Heart 7,720 times during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom; Whereas Marines have earned the Medal of Honor 298 times, the Navy Cross 2,168 times, and the Distinguished Service Cross 417 times; Whereas the Marine Corps continues to serve in harm's way around the world; Whereas Marine Corps Special Operators have served with honor and distinction around the world since their activation in 2006; Whereas the Marine Corps has fought for freedom, preserved democracy, and protected Americans and their interests on every continent around the world; Whereas the Marine Corps is the most versatile and elite, integrated fighting force; and Whereas the United States Marine Corps and its Marines have served the United States, its people, its allies, and all free people of the world for 232 years: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress remembers, honors and commends the achievements of the United States Marine Corps in serving and defending the United States on the 232nd anniversary of the creation of the Marines. <all>