[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 195 Engrossed in House (EH)]
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
May 4, 2005.
Whereas the final major offensive in the European theater of operations during
World War II, known as the Liberation of Western Bohemia, was fought
from April 25, 1945, to May 8, 1945, with Victory in Europe (VE) Day
declared on May 8, 1945;
Whereas the Liberation of Western Bohemia was the closing offensive of World War
II, which decisively contributed to the ultimate capitulation of the
German Third Reich;
Whereas on May 4, 1945, General George S. Patton gave the order for the American
Third Army, consisting of 18 divisions and 500,000 men, to resume the
Allied offensive into Western Bohemia;
Whereas on May 5, 1945, the Third Army liberated the city of Plzen (Pilsen), the
western-most city in then-Czechoslovakia;
Whereas on May 6, 1945, as Americans entered Pilsen, flowers were strewn along
the paths and into the vehicles of the troops, while young girls and old
men and women ran to kiss the soldiers;
Whereas during the communist era, Czechs celebrated their liberation from Nazi
Germany on May 9 of each year in commemoration of the Soviet liberation
of Prague; however, after the 1989 ``Velvet Revolution'', the date of
commemoration was moved to May 8 of each year;
Whereas thousands of American veterans of the Liberation of Western Bohemia have
traveled to Pilsen in the years since the liberation to honor their
fallen comrades;
Whereas the people of the Czech Republic, symbolizing their friendship and
gratitude toward the American soldiers who fought to secure their
freedom, have graciously hosted countless veterans groups over the
years;
Whereas between April 25 and May 9, 2005, some 50 communities across the western
part of the Czech Republic will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of
their liberation by United States, Czech, and Belgian soldiers under the
command of General Patton;
Whereas the citizens of Pilsen will dedicate a statue of General Patton which
will be unveiled on the town square on the 60th anniversary of the
liberation of Pilsen, commemorating the Liberation of Western Bohemia by
United States Armed Forces during World War II; and
Whereas the friendship between the United States and the Czech Republic is
strong today in part because of the Liberation of Western Bohemia: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of Western
Bohemia in the European theater of operations during World War II which
culminated in an Allied victory that assured the defeat of Nazi Germany
and ended the War in Europe two weeks later;
(2) honors those individuals who gave their lives during the
Liberation of Western Bohemia;
(3) encourages the President to issue a proclamation calling upon
the people of the United States to honor the veterans of the Liberation
of Western Bohemia with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and
activities;
(4) reaffirms the bonds of friendship between the United States and
the brave citizens of the Czech Republic; and
(5) seeks to continue building a great future between our countries.
Attest:
Clerk.