Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1099, as amended. This resolution recognizes the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima. I want to commend the sponsor of this resolution, Representative Bruce Braley of Iowa, for introducing it. The Battle of Iwo Jima in February and March of 1945 has become a symbol of the devotion to duty and valor of all the men who fought there. For marines especially, the action then of five marines and one Navy corpsman raising the U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi, as captured in the iconic photo, is now the standard by which all marines measure themselves. Every marine and many others as well, when viewing that image, are almost compelled to ask: Could I do the same thing? Would I measure up? By any standard of measure, the Battle of Iwo Jima ranks as one of the most violent and savage in the history of the Marine Corps. The Marines, the Navy, and the Army personnel who fought the battle prevailed because, as Admiral Nimitz, Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet at the time, said, ``uncommon valor was a common virtue.'' Today, many of those men who won that victory are now gone. Our memory of and tribute to their valor and devotion to duty, however, remain. It is for that reason that we recognize the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima and commend all who served in it. I urge all Members to support this most worthy bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”