Congressional Record Statement of Senator Daniel K. Akaka

Mr. President, I rise today in honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance day . Earlier today, my good friend and colleague Senator Inhofe and I introduced a Senate Resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding National Pearl Harbor Remembrance day and paying tribute to those servicemembers and civilians who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, as well as the current members of the Pearl Harbor Survivor Association.

Today is the 66th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Memorial ceremonies are taking place at the Naval Station Pearl Harbor to commemorate the 66th anniversary of the attack. Later, the dedication ceremony for the new USS Oklahoma Memorial will also take place on Ford Island at Pearl Harbor. The battleship Oklahoma was anchored along Ford Island on December 7, 1941, and suffered the second greatest loss of life during the attack after the USS Arizona. It is the last ship to have been destroyed that fateful day to get its own memorial. Clearly, this memorial is long overdue. Prayers, reflections, and tributes will be offered during each of these ceremonies to honor the service and sacrifice of the men and women who fought and died in the defense of our great country.

This 66th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor also marks the beginning of a new commemoration for all of our Nation's fallen, called Old Glory's Journey of Remembrance. The journey begins today with Old Glory being flown over the USS Arizona Memorial. The flag will then be taken to, and flown over, 24 other military memorial sites around the country. The journey culminates in observance of the National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day at 3 p.m. local time with Old Glory being flown above the U.S. Capitol.

Mr. President, the resolution that I and Senator Inhofe introduced requests that all of my Senate colleagues join together with our fellow Americans in Hawaii and across the Nation to remember and honor the more than 2,400 courageous American sailors, soldiers, and marines who were killed in the raid on Pearl Harbor , as well as to honor those who survived the attack.

For those too young to remember 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor is something learned in history books. But to those in Hawaii who, like myself, witnessed the attack, the events of December 7 are a painful, vivid memory, and a personal experience that can never be forgotten. While the Japanese surprise attack was a calamity that forever changed the course of history, our country fought back in the name of justice to preserve our Nation's sacred freedoms. I urge the citizens of this Nation to remember that it was the sacrifices made by ordinary men and women who rallied in defense of freedom, liberty, and the great promise of our democracy that preserved our Nation's freedom and liberty. Their sacrifices represent the greatest heroism and patriotism in the service of our country.

Mr. President, I hope that my Senate colleagues will join me today in prayer and remembrance for those courageous men and women who died in Pearl Harbor on that infamous day.

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December 7, 2007