Senator Clinton Co-Sponsors Legislation to Support 'National Airborne Day'

Senator Clinton Co-Sponsors Legislation to Support 'National Airborne Day'

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton announced that she had co-sponsored a bipartisan Senate Resolution to create a "National Airborne Day" in honor of our U.S. airborne forces.

"Right now, the airborne troops who are bravely serving our nation in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere are close to our hearts and I believe that this legislation would be a fitting tribute to them," Senator Clinton said. "For 65 years, our airborne forces have made a tremendous contribution to operations across the globe. I am pleased to join this effort to honor their bravery and sacrifice on behalf of our nation."

The resolution, which was introduced in the Senate late last week by Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and co-sponsored by Senator Clinton, would designate August 16, 2005 as "National Airborne Day". August 16, 2005 will be the 65th Anniversary of the first official jump by the Army Parachute Test Platoon. Since that time, U.S. airborne forces have performed important military and peace-keeping operations throughout the world, including Operation Iraqi Freedom. The resolution will now be referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.

On June 25, 1940, the War Department authorized the Parachute Test Platoon to experiment with the potential use of airborne troops. The Parachute Test Platoon, which was composed of 48 volunteers, performed the first official Army parachute jump on August 16, 1940. The success of the Platoon led to the formation of a large and successful airborne contingent that has served from World War II until the present.

http://clinton.senate.gov/~clinton/news/2005/2005321708.html