Frank Lautenberg: “I look at the Chair and I see someone who served in World War II. I look behind me and I see someone who served in World…”

“I look at the Chair and I see someone who served in World War II. I look behind me and I see someone who served in World War II. Mr. President, I also served in World War II, and Senator Hollings served in World War II. I am not talking about our ages. I am talking about our commitment. I am talking about what it was we intended to do when we fought that war. We intended to try to save lives and free people, and we never did what we have an opportunity to do right now. At that time we were asked by some to bomb railroad tracks and extermination camps. We could have saved lots and lots of lives. We did not do it. But we put our boys in battle and what a moment we are coming to--50 years since D-day, 50 years. It seems hard, does not it? I ask my colleagues who served in World War II like I to believe that it was 50 years ago that we had a chance to serve our country. We were young kids at the time. I know I speak for all of them when we say we treasured every moment of that service that we had to do.”