Authorizing the American Battle Monuments Commission to Acquire, Operate, and Maintain the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial

Floor Speech

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Mr. TAKANO.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Chairman Miller's bill that would authorize the American Battle Monuments Commission to acquire, operate, and maintain the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial in Marnes-la-Coquette, France.

This request was brought to us directly from the American Battle Monuments Commission in order to ensure that this memorial that honors the service and sacrifice of the Lafayette Flying Corps is properly maintained.

The Lafayette Flying Corps was a small group of American aviators who volunteered to serve in the Lafayette Escadrille prior to the United States entering World War I. Forty-nine members of the Lafayette Flying Corps lost their lives in the war and are interred in the crypts below the memorial.

This incredible group included ``Lucky'' Herschel McKee, who became their youngest ace with 12 kills, and Eugene James Bullard, the first African American military pilot who was subsequently made a knight of the Legion of Honor, France's most coveted award established by Napoleon Bonaparte.

This important effort will incur no additional costs as the ABMC has indicated that they can maintain this important memorial within their existing appropriations.

I encourage my colleagues to join me in support of passage of this important legislation that honors the services and sacrifice of our men and women that defend our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, H.R. 5937, as amended.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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