Mr. JONES: Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.

Mr. Speaker, first I would like to thank the lady from Kansas for being on the floor during this discussion and debate.

Mr. Speaker, on October 23, 1983, the war on terrorism began when a truck filled with explosives detonated outside of the United States Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 241 of our men in service. Between 1982 and 1984, 272 marines, soldiers, and sailors from 39 States and Puerto Rico lost their lives while serving as peacekeepers in Beirut.

Mr. Speaker, I recently introduced H. Res. 1421, a resolution to solemnly commemorate the 25th anniversary of the tragic October 1983 terrorist bombing of the United States Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, to remember those who lost their lives and those who were injured.

I would like to thank the leadership on both sides of the aisle, the Members of Congress who have cosponsored this resolution and the House Armed Services Committee members and staff for their help in bringing this resolution to the floor today.

Mr. Speaker, October 23 of this year will mark the 25th anniversary of the bombing of the Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. In the attack, as was said by the lady from Kansas, 241 American heroes were lost: 220 Marines, 18 members of the Navy and 3 soldiers. On October 23 of 2008, the friends, family, and comrades left behind by the Beirut peacekeepers will gather once again to pay their respects. This would be the appropriate time for the House of Representatives to show its appreciation. Honoring these servicemen is one way for us to again say thank you for sacrificing your lives so that the rest of us could live in freedom.

Recognizing those who served in Beirut will not just serve to further mourn their loss but to celebrate the peace and the American spirit that was embodied in the mission of these fallen heroes.

Mr. Speaker, in these uncertain times, we call upon the brave men and women of the military to overcome terror and defend the ideals that this great Nation was founded upon. One of my constituents, Charles Hall of Jacksonville, North Carolina, which is the home of Camp Lejeune Marine Base, was called upon 24 1/2 years ago, and he served our country honorably in Beirut. Mr. HALL will be the first to tell you that the war on terrorism began well before September 11. In fact, many believe the war on terrorism began on October 23, 1983, in Beirut. On behalf of military families across the United States, I urge my colleagues to join in supporting and honoring those 241 Americans who were killed on October 23, 1983, in Beirut, Lebanon, and the 272 who died while serving in Beirut between 1982 and 1984.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I would reserve the balance of my time.