Marine Corps Identity Bill Gets 400 Co-sponsors in House
Washington D.C. – April 20, 2010 – The Marine Corps Identity Bill, HR 24, has received 400 co-sponsors—92 percent of the House of Representatives.
Backed by the Marine Corps League, HR 24, introduced by North Carolina Rep. Walter Jones, proposes to change the name of the Department of the Navy to the “Department of the Navy and Marine Corps.” HR 24 is just seven votes shy of a 20-year record for most amount of co-sponsors on any House bill.
For over two centuries, the Marine Corps has fought side by side with the Navy. However, the Marine Corps name is not mentioned at the department level or even in the letterhead of condolence letters sent to the parents of fallen Marines.
Driven largely by this fact, Marine Corps Identity Cause has attracted powerful supporters including actor R. Lee Ermey, Gens. Alfred Gray and Anthony Zinni and former Secretary of the Navy Lawrence Garrett.
“We’ve grown into a branch with a unique culture,” said Ermey, a Marine veteran who has been in 60-plus feature films, including Full Metal Jacket and Mississippi Burning. “Yet it does not get equal billing with the Navy, Air Force or Army—each of which has a department named after it.”
News of the 400th co-sponsor follows Sen. Johnny Isakson’s co-sponsoring of a sister bill in the Senate, S. 504. Isakson serves on the Committee on Veteran’s Affairs.
With 400 co-sponsors, HR 24 looks poised to pass the House. However, only three senators have co-sponsored S. 504.
“We encourage anyone who supports the Marine Corps to thank their representatives who’ve co-sponsored these bills and to contact their senators who haven’t,” said Mike Blum, Executive Director of the Marine Corps League. “That is one simple thing we all can do that would have such a huge impact on our Marines fighting overseas.”
Tags: Alfred Gray, Anthony Zinni, House of Representatives, Johnny Isakson, Marine Corps League, Mike Blum, R. Lee Ermey, Senate, United States Marine Corps, Walter Jones, Washington D.C.
very good
I Think this is the greatest. I give a big Ooorah! and a Semper FI.
since we have always been a part of the Navy, Our Enemies will have a lot more to fear. When you take the greatest Fighting Force in History and adding the Name to Greatest Navy in History this should Demand Respect around the World.
I can only say… Ooorah, and Semper Fidelis. It truly is about time! Were we to ask who has given the most, in percentage of lives lost, or always first to fight, or even most battles won, the answer would always be the same… the United States Marine. It’s Corps should thus be recognized for the continued loyalty, continuing sacrifices and endless blood FREELY offered for our Constitution.
The United States Marine… man-for-man, there is not another finer fighting force in all of history. To not recognize or pay specific tribute to this institution is to dishonor this grand credit of our American way of life.*