Office of Strategic Services Congressional Gold Medal Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2234, the Office of Strategic Services Congressional Gold Medal Act, companion legislation I introduced earlier this Congress as H.R. 3929 to honor and recognize these brave veterans for their superior service and major contributions made during World War II.

The Office of Strategic Services, the OSS as it is often referred to, was America's first strategic intelligence service during World War II and provided the basis for the modern-day American intelligence and special operations communities.

Under the leadership of OSS founder, General Bill Donovan, the OSS conducted acts of great bravery during the war, and their efforts were another factor to the Allied victory in World War II. Let me name a few. These efforts included:

Organizing, training, supplying, and fighting with resistance organizations throughout Europe and Asia;

Engaging in successful guerrilla warfare deep in enemy territory;

Establishing intelligence networks before the successful Allied invasion of French North Africa, known as Operation Torch;

Rescuing more than 500 downed allied airmen behind enemy lines in Yugoslavia during Operation Halyard, one of the most daring and successful rescue missions of World War II;

Conducting mercy missions at the end of the war that saved thousands of Allied prisoners of war; and

Inventing and utilizing new technology, weapons, and revolutionary communications equipment never before seen.

General Eisenhower said that if it did nothing else, the photographic reconnaissance conducted by the OSS before the D-day invasion in June of 1944 justified its creation.

I am truly proud to be here today to honor these men and women who truly embody the greatest generation. Several members of the OSS came from northwest and west central Ohio, including Arthur Jibilian, who took part in Operation Helyard in Yugoslavia; Captain Stephanie Czech Rader; and another veteran who flew OSS missions in B-24s behind enemy lines into occupied France. They have earned and deserve this recognition. Congress and our Nation are proud of them, and we are grateful for their dedicated service. This Congressional Gold Medal is one way we can extend our gratitude.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Speaker Ryan, Leader McCarthy, and all of the leadership team, Senators Blunt and Warner, Chairman Nunes and Ranking Member Schiff, Chairman Ed Royce, Representative Marcy Kaptur, and all of my other colleagues, including the 320 Members that cosponsored this legislation, for their time, hard work, and support. I would also be remiss if I did not also thank the OSS Society and all those involved for their time and hard work in keeping the legacy of these OSS veterans forever alive.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting passage of S. 2234 and bestow upon the OSS the Congressional Gold Medal.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source