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[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 186 Introduced in House (IH)]

105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 186

  Commending all who served with the United States Navy Asiatic Fleet 
throughout the Far East from 1910 to 1942, especially those sailors and 
  marines who put their lives on the line for this Nation during the 
           earliest days of our involvement in World War II.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            November 7, 1997

Mr. Brown of Ohio submitted the following concurrent resolution; which 
           was referred to the Committee on National Security

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 
  Commending all who served with the United States Navy Asiatic Fleet 
throughout the Far East from 1910 to 1942, especially those sailors and 
  marines who put their lives on the line for this Nation during the 
           earliest days of our involvement in World War II.

Whereas the United States established the Asiatic Fleet of the Navy in 1910 to 
        protect American nationals, policies, and possessions in the Far East;
Whereas the sailors and marines of the Asiatic Fleet came to the aid of United 
        States citizens and foreign nationals in that region during the Chinese 
        civil war, the Yangtze Flood of 1931, and the outbreak of Sino-Japanese 
        hostilities;
Whereas in 1940, due to deteriorating political relations and increasing 
        tensions between the United States and Japan, a reinforced Asiatic Fleet 
        began concentrating on the defense of the Philippines and engaged in 
        extensive training to ensure maximum operational readiness for any 
        eventuality;
Whereas following the declaration of war against Japan, the warships, 
        submarines, and aircraft of the Asiatic Fleet singly or in task forces 
        courageously fought many naval battles against a superior Japanese 
        armada;
Whereas the Asiatic Fleet directly suffered the loss of 22 ships, 1,826 men 
        killed or missing in action, and 518 men captured, many of whom did not 
        survive their internment; and
Whereas the Asiatic Fleet ceased to exist as a cohesive fighting force on March 
        1, 1942, when its flagship, the U.S.S. HOUSTON, was sunk by the Japanese 
        near Indonesia: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That--
            (1) the Congress commends the bravery and resourcefulness 
        of all who served in the United States Navy Asiatic Fleet from 
        1910 to 1942, especially those sailors and marines who put 
        their lives in harm's way during the first few months of 
        America's participation in World War II; and
            (2) the American people should always remember the courage 
        and determination displayed by the personnel of the Asiatic 
        Fleet, honoring the sacrifices they made in defense of the 
        United States.
                                 <all>
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