This resolution designates August 16, 2024, as National Airborne Day.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 797 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 797
Designating August 16, 2024, as ``National Airborne Day''.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
August 1, 2024
Ms. Murkowski (for herself, Mr. Reed, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. McConnell, Mr.
Budd, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Mullin, Ms. Duckworth, Ms. Hirono,
Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Warnock, Mr. King, Ms. Rosen, Mr.
Kelly, Mr. Ossoff, Mr. Manchin, Ms. Sinema, Mr. Whitehouse, Ms.
Baldwin, and Mrs. Shaheen) submitted the following resolution; which
was considered and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Designating August 16, 2024, as ``National Airborne Day''.
Whereas the members of the airborne forces of the Armed Forces of the United
States have a long and honorable history as bold and fierce warriors
who, for the national security of the United States and the defense of
freedom and peace, project the ground combat power of the United States
by air transport to the far reaches of the battle area and to the far
corners of the world;
Whereas, on June 25, 1940, experiments with airborne operations by the United
States began after the Army Parachute Test Platoon was first authorized
by the Department of War;
Whereas, in July 1940, 48 volunteers began training for the Army Parachute Test
Platoon;
Whereas the first official Army parachute jump took place on August 16, 1940, to
test the innovative concept of inserting United States ground combat
forces behind a battle line by means of a parachute;
Whereas the success of the Army Parachute Test Platoon, before the entry of the
United States into World War II, validated the airborne operational
concept and led to the creation of a formidable force of airborne
formations that included the 11th\\, 13th\\, 17th\\, 82nd\\, and 101st\\
Airborne Divisions;
Whereas included in those divisions, and among other separate formations, were
many airborne combat, combat support, and combat service support units
that served with distinction and achieved repeated success in armed
hostilities during World War II;
Whereas the achievements of the airborne units during World War II prompted the
evolution of those units into a diversified force of parachute and air-
assault units that, over the years, have fought in Korea, the Dominican
Republic, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf region, and
Somalia, and have engaged in peacekeeping operations in Lebanon, the
Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, Haiti, Bosnia, and Kosovo;
Whereas, since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the members of the
United States airborne forces, including members of the XVIII Airborne
Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, the 101st Airborne Division (Air
Assault), the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, the 2nd Infantry
Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) of the 11th Airborne Division, the 75th
Ranger Regiment, special operations forces of the Army, Marine Corps,
Navy, and Air Force, and other units of the Armed Forces, have
demonstrated bravery and honor in combat, stability, and training
operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other theaters in the Global War on
Terrorism;
Whereas the continued evolution of United States Army airborne units allowed for
the reactivation of the 11th Airborne Division on June 6, 2022, to lead
the Armed Forces of the United States in Arctic warfighting
capabilities, support United States Indo-Pacific Command operations, and
continue the storied legacy of the 11th Airborne Division that dates
back to World War II;
Whereas the modern airborne forces also include other elite forces composed of
airborne trained and qualified special operations warriors, including
Army Special Forces, Marine Corps Reconnaissance Battalions, Navy SEALs,
and Air Force combat control and pararescue teams;
Whereas, of the members and former members of the United States airborne forces,
thousands have achieved the distinction of making combat jumps, dozens
have earned the Medal of Honor, and hundreds have earned the
Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, or other decorations and
awards for displays of heroism, gallantry, intrepidity, and valor;
Whereas the members and former members of the United States airborne forces are
all members of a proud and honorable tradition that, together with the
special skills and achievements of those members, distinguishes the
members as intrepid combat parachutists, air assault forces, special
operation forces, and, in the past, glider infantry;
Whereas individuals from every State of the United States have served gallantly
in the airborne forces, and each State is proud of the contributions of
its paratrooper veterans during the many conflicts faced by the United
States;
Whereas the history and achievements of the members and former members of the
United States airborne forces warrant special expressions of the
gratitude of the people of the United States; and
Whereas, since the airborne forces, past and present, celebrate August 16 as the
anniversary of the first official jump by the Army Parachute Test
Platoon, August 16 is an appropriate day to recognize as National
Airborne Day: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates August 16, 2024, as ``National Airborne
Day''; and
(2) calls on the people of the United States to observe
National Airborne Day with appropriate programs, ceremonies,
and activities.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5836; text: CR S5788)
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5836; text: CR S5788)
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