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Mr. DOLE submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services:
Whereas the most dangerous military competition in the history of mankind has come to a close without a nuclear holocaust;
Whereas men and women in the armed forces, intelligence community, and foreign service community of the United States faithfully performed their duties during the period known as the Cold War;
Whereas many of these persons were isolated from family and friends and served under arduous conditions in far away lands in order to preserve peace and harmony throughout the world:
Whereas these persons performed their duty in the most successful, extended, military competition in the history of mankind and ensured that weapons of mass destruction, capable of destroying all humanity, were never released;
Whereas the self-discipline and dedication of these persons were fundamental to the prevention of a Super Power conflict; and
Whereas the silent determination of these persons brought a peaceful victory to all the people of the world: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That Congress acknowledges the service and sacrifices of these Americans who contributed to historic victory in the Cold War.
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Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, today I am pleased to join Representative Rick Lazio of New York, in paying tribute to the dedicated Americans who served in the Armed Forces, Intelligence Agencies, and the Diplomatic Corps during the Cold War. Their courageous efforts not only ensured America's security, but eventually brought peace and freedom to millions of people around the world who had suffered under communism for decades.
In the aftermath of World War II, a new threat to freedom emerged. Fifty years ago this spring, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill warned the Western world of that new threat in a speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. `From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic an iron curtain has descended across the Continent . The Communist parties, which were very small in all these Eastern States of Europe, have been raised to pre-eminence and power far beyond their numbers and are seeking everywhere to obtain totalitarian control. Police governments are prevailing in nearly every case, and so far, except in Czechoslovakia, there is no true democracy.' To combat this new threat Prime Minister Churchill called on us to work to prevent open hostilities and to ensure the establishment of conditions of freedom and democracy as rapidly as possible in all countries.' He further called for cooperation between the United States and her allies `in the air, on the sea, all over the globe and in science and in industry, and in moral force' in order that we might have an `overwhelming assurance of security.'
For the next four decades, the United States, with its Allies, stood resolute against Communist aggression. The full resources of our military, intelligence organizations, and diplomatic corps were brought to bear to ensure freedom and prevent the spread of tyranny. The United States, through the Marshall Plan, rebuilt Europe. We formed alliances, such as NATO, with our allies to provide a coordinated military response to Communist aggression. And the United States embarked on the Strategic Defense Initiative, to ensure that future generations would not grow up fearing a nuclear holocaust.
Now, 50 years after Prime Minister Churchill's speech in Fulton, Missouri the United States is again the world's only super power. We again are leading the world into a new age. Just as America's principled leadership was required for victory in the Cold War, so will our moral strength be required to face the challenges of the future.
Mr. President, I think it is only fitting that today we take a few moments to recognize and thank those Americans who served our government throughout the long years of the Cold War. Without their dedication, bravery, and sacrifice our victory would not have been possible. I am pleased to join Congressman Lazio in recognizing these Americans and I know my colleagues in the Senate join me in this expression of thanks.