11/25/13 The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources today considered and passed a bill introduced by Senators Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and John Boozman (R-AR) that would authorize the construction of a National Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial. Donnelly and Boozman introduced the National Desert Storm and Desert Shield War Memorial Act, S. 995, to recognize the 600,000 American troops who were deployed to Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield, while remembering the 293 who died in theater.
Donnelly said, “I am pleased that the National Desert Storm and Desert Shield War Memorial Act is one step closer to becoming law. The men and women who fought in the first Gulf War, including more than 60,000 Hoosiers, deserve to have their bravery and sacrifices honored. I’m proud to join Senator Boozman in this bipartisan effort, and I look forward to the bill coming to the floor of the Senate.”
Boozman said, “The men and women who sacrificed their lives during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield deserve this fitting recognition that shows our appreciation for their service. This clears a major hurdle to making this memorial a reality. I’m pleased to join Senator Donnelly in this effort.”
The Boozman-Donnelly legislation would authorize the National Desert Storm Memorial Association to establish the National Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial on federal lands within the District of Columbia. No federal funds would be spent to build this memorial, as all funds would be raised privately by the National Desert Storm War Memorial Association.
