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By Mr. ROCKEFELLER (for himself, Mr. WEBB, Mrs. MCCASKILL, Mr. THUNE, and Mr. BLUNT):
S. 253. A bill to establish a commission to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of World War I, and to designate memorials to the service of men and women of the United States in World War I; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, today--February 1--is the 110th birthday of Frank Buckles, the longest surviving veteran of World War I.
It is also the day that I am proud to introduce a bipartisan bill to recognize the extraordinary efforts of 4 million men and women who served in World War I. I am joined by my colleagues Senators WEBB, MCCASKILL, THUNE and BLUNT. We are united in our effort to prepare for the upcoming centennial of World War I. Our goal is to rededicate the DC memorial on the Mall as the District of Columbia and National World War I Memorial, and rededicate the Liberty Memorial of Kansas City as the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Our legislation also creates a commission to plan the national observance of the centennial.
Having the appropriate tributes for our World War I veterans has been a cause for Frank Buckles. Over the years, he has become a representative of his generation of veterans. His personal story is similar to many young men of his era. As an eager 16-year-old, Frank Buckles tried to enlist in the Army several times and finally succeeded. He then pestered his officers to be sent to France. Mr. Buckles drove motorcycles, cars, and ambulances in England and France, and during the Occupation, he guarded German prisoners. Following the war, he went to work for the White Star steamship line. In December 1941, while on business in Manila, the Japanese attacked the Philippines. Frank Buckles spent over 3 years as a prisoner at the city's Los Baños prison camp. On February 23, 1945, a unit from the 11th Airborne Division freed him and 2,147 other prisoners in a daring raid on the Los Baños prison camp. Mr. Buckles was affected by and has memories of both World War I and World War II.
I had the privilege of listening to Frank Buckles' compelling stories in his home in West Virginia while sitting with his daughter. He generously shares his memories of working to enlist and get to France, as well as meeting French soldiers and guarding German prisoners. Everyone can hear his reflections by visiting the Library of Congress's special Web site for its Veterans History Project. It has personal interviews of Mr. Buckles and thousands of other veterans that have served our Nation both during times of war and peace. Visiting this Web site is an incredible resource for scholars, students and every American, and it reminds us of the compelling personal stories of bravery, commitment, and sacrifice made by our country's veterans and how they shaped our world.
Our bipartisan bill is designed to honor and remember over 4.35 million Americans, like Frank Buckles, who answered the call of duty and served from 1914-1918 in World War I. What became known as the Great War claimed the lives of 126,000 Americans, wounded 234,300, and left 4,526 as prisoners of war or missing in action.
At the end of World War I, numerous cities and States erected local and state memorials to honor their citizens who answered the call and proudly served the United States of America. On Armistice Day in 1931, President Hoover dedicated the DC World War I Memorial to honor the 499 District of Columbia residents who gave their lives in the service of our country. Since then, national monuments to commemorate the sacrifice and heroism of those who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War have all been built on the National Mall. I believe that the DC Memorial should be rededicated in time for the centennial as well as the Kansas City Museum and Liberty Tower.
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