Brian Jones: “Last week, the House of Representatives passed a suspension bill that was H.R. 24, to redesignate the Department of the…”

“Last week, the House of Representatives passed a suspension bill that was H.R. 24, to redesignate the Department of the Navy to be known as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps. That bill had 426 cosponsors, colleagues from both sides of the aisle, who believe sincerely that the Marine Corps has earned this right to be recognized. All this is about recognition. I want tonight to thank Senator Pat Roberts. Senator Pat Roberts last January put in a companion bill to H.R. 24, Senate Bill 504. Senator Roberts himself served in the United States Marine Corps. He was an officer, a retired Marine officer. This Monday, he wrote a letter to every Senator, and I want to read just a little part of this, Madam Speaker. First, the subtitle of his letter says, ``Let's Make History By Supporting Our Nation's Marines As They Support Us: Redesignate the Department of Navy as the Department of Navy and the Marine Corps.'' And he further states, ``Dear Colleague,''--I'm just going to read paragraphs from this letter, Madam Speaker--``it is not possible to overstate the service and sacrifice of any man or woman who wears or has worn the Marine Corps uniform, whether in Iwo Jima 65 years ago or today. The Corps has been `first to fight for right and freedom' for over 234 years. That is why I am writing to urge you to cosponsor S.…”