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70th Anniversary of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor

Congressional Record Statement of Senator Daniel K. Akaka

Wed, December 7, 2011


     Mr. AKAKA.  Mr. President, I rise today in observation of the surprise attack that the Empire of Japan launched on the United States military bases in Hawaii 70 years ago.  The attack was concentrated on the Pearl Harbor Naval Base, where over 2,400 courageous sailors, soldiers, and marines lost their lives.  Each year, close to one and a half million people from across the country and around the world visit the memorials at Pearl Harbor to remember the events of December 7, 1941, and how the world was changed forever on that day.

     As the sun rose over Pearl Harbor today, solemn prayers were offered and large crowds gathered to honor the sacrifice made by so many of our brave young men and women. 

     The National Park Service and the Navy Region Hawaii are hosting the 70th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center to recognize those who bravely survived the attacks and to remember the thousands more who gave their lives in service to their country that day. 

     Representative Charles William "Bill" Young from Florida will be representing Congress at the commemoration ceremony accompanied by William Muehleib, the President of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, and approximately 100 survivors of the attacks, including eight who were aboard the USS Arizona, which lies enshrined at the bottom of Pearl Harbor today.  The USS Oklahoma, BB 37, Memorial Executive Committee will dedicate a rose granite memorial marker at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl to honor the memory of the approximately 355 USS Oklahoma sailors who perished, but were never individually identified.  The remains of two servicemembers will be interred at the USS Utah and the USS Arizona, so they may again join their shipmates in accordance with their wishes.  And the Hawaii Air National Guard will fly F-22 Raptors over the memorial sites at Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Force Base in honor of the fallen.

     I want to recognize and thank the National Park Service and Navy Region Hawaii for their diligent work and dedication to ensuring that the legacy of the thousands of servicemembers who perished that day lives on through the memorials that stand solemnly at Pearl Harbor.  They have done an outstanding job conveying the unwavering spirit of those, who in the face of perilous odds, stood their ground and fought back against the Japanese attack to save the lives of their brothers in arms.  The efforts of these organizations have helped to make sure that our country will never forget the tragic loss that all Americans felt as news of the attack spread across the nation.

     We must continue to remember the acts of heroism, bravery, and sacrifice that followed the attack.  Our country fought in the name of justice to preserve our nation's sacred freedoms.  And we must also recognize and thank the courageous men and women of our armed forces today who are still fighting in the name of those same freedoms.  I urge the citizens of this nation to recall that it was the collaboration of a country and the sacrifices made by ordinary men and women who rallied in defense of freedom, liberty, and the great promise of our democracy that preserved our nation's freedom and liberty.  It is in that spirit of coming together to save our country that has always produced the strongest results and made our country great.

     Mr. President, I ask my Senate colleagues to join me in prayer and remembrance for the men and women who died in Pearl Harbor, and those who are still fighting overseas today.  May God bless all of those who have served to protect our shores and God bless America.

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