Commemorating the 60th anniversary of V-J Day and the end of World War II in the Pacific.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), my distinguished colleague, the former chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. And like his father, the gentleman is as tough as nails, also with a gentle heart. And I think most of our people on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs where he served with distinction as chairman will agree with that.

I am very pleased this afternoon to bring my resolution to the floor commemorating the 60th anniversary of V-J Day and the end of World War II in the Pacific. I thank sincerely the two Chairs of the committees of jurisdiction for their consideration. First of all, the House Committee on International Relations, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), who himself fought for victory in Japan as mentioned by my colleague from Kentucky, and the chair of the Committee on Armed Services, the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter). Like my father, Chairman Hunter's father, Robert Hunter, served in World War II.

On August 15, 1945, Emperor Hirohito of Japan, in a radio address to his countrymen, announced the unconditional surrender of Japan's military forces. So, frankly, World War II officially came to a close with the signing of the surrender documents on September 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

Throughout the Pacific Theatre, the men and women of the United States Armed Forces fought bravely and suffered brutally. My own father, United States Navy Captain Clifford Robert Stearns, participated in the landing on the island of Iwo Jima. During the battle, a bullet passed close by his temple, striking the bulwark of the ship behind him. He recovered the bullet, brought it home to my mother and I. And while I could never name each of my constituents who fought, I have been honored by many such stories, just like my dad's.

I wanted, in this World War II anniversary year, to focus attention once more on what we call V-J Day.

For years, following World War II, both V-E Day, victory in Europe, May

8, and V-J Day were commonly printed on calendars. But that is not so anymore. And sometimes when I talk to veterans of the Pacific Theatre, they will say, you know, Cliff, we have seen movies like ``Saving Private Ryan'' and ``Band of Brothers,'' and while we take nothing away from the triumph of our brothers in the European theaters, we would like to see our story told also. And I do think this summer we see a renewed interest in just this. From the movie ``The Great Raid,'' to dances, a parade, a V-J 60th speech by the President, to fireworks last Friday night, September 2, on the National Mall, the veterans of the Pacific are getting their due.

When exactly is V-J Day, some will ask me. Some refer to it as the day that the Emperor announced the surrender, which is August 15. This is when many of our World War II allies formally recognized August 15 as V-J Day, namely, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia. In Australia, as a matter of fact, they are particularly adamant about naming August 15 V-J and not V-P, for victory in the Pacific, as some do, because the Australians in the West fought just as strongly in the Indian Ocean. Some Asian islands, such as China and Korea, recognize August 15 as Liberation Day.

Also since the surrender announcement fell on August 14 in American time zones, you may see this date commemorated as V-J Day here.

And finally, it may refer to the date of the formal surrender which was September 2, as I mentioned earlier, in 1945.

I would like to take us back to August 14, 1945. When this news was made public over radios, America experienced a moment mixed with both relief and jubilation. This is the very essence of V-J Day, a collective sense of ease and an express ebullience of excitement. We had endured many years of worry, of rationing, planting victory gardens, buying war bonds, air raid drills and civil defense patrol, blackouts even on our own soil. But on V-J Day this ended. America was thrown open for the Nation's single largest tailgate party, and we were all there rooting for the same team.

In this jubilation, there was no difference between enlisted, officers or civilians. Americans danced in the streets, honked horns, blared radios. Americans poured into village parks, busy city squares in the streets. Libations flowed. Everywhere the noise was deafening.

Even before the surrender, when it appeared imminent, there was some interesting preparation.

In my State of Florida, on August 10, 1945, Governor Millard F. Caldwell issued a proclamation calling for Floridians to maintain the ``solemnity and dignity of the occasion'' by avoiding ``boisterous conduct,'' and to facilitate this, that ``all liquor package stores, bars and tap rooms and places dispensing alcoholic beverages remain closed during that period.''

Now, I do not imagine that he achieved his objective here. I do not think the decorum was what he thought it would be, but everybody was excited with jubilation.

Of course, the image most recognizable to Americans and the world is of the Life Magazine cover of a joyous kissing sailor and nurse which photographer Alfred Eisenstadt froze for all time. In an interview last month, the nurse, now a grandmother, Edith Cullen Shain, recalled the pandemonium on August 14, 1945, when people grabbed anyone and hugged and kissed each other.

Mr. Speaker, I close with the testament that understanding and alliances can arise out of former cataclysms. Today, Japan stands with us as a true and enduring friend, fellow economic world leader and a force for a stable and prosperous Asia.

I believe it is important to bring this resolution to the floor to commemorate that. As the events of World War II pass further and further into history, the deeds of so many must not fade in our memories. The veterans in the Pacific theater brought peace and liberation to millions and millions of people. And as Americans rejoiced on V-J Day 1945, we will continue to salute those veterans for many, many more years to come.

I am pleased that the House is bringing up my resolution Commemorating the 60th anniversary of V-J Day and the end of World War II in the Pacific. I want to thank the two Chairs of the Committees of jurisdiction for their consideration. First, of the House Committee on International Relations, the gentleman from Illinois, the Honorable Henry Hyde, who himself fought for Victor in Japan by piloting a landing craft in the Lingayen Gulf. And next, the Chair of the Committee on Armed Services, the gentleman from California, the Honorable Duncan Hunter. Like mine, Chairman Hunter's father, Robert Hunter, served in WWII.

On August 15, 1945, Emperor Hirohito of Japan, in a radio address to his countrymen, conceded defeat and announced the unconditional surrender of Japan's military forces. World War II officially came to a close with the signing of the surrender documents on September 2, 1945, aboard the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Thus ended this devastating war.

Throughout the Pacific Theater, the men and women of the United States Armed Services fought bravely, and suffered brutally. My own father, USN Captain Clifford Robert Stearns participated in the landings on the island of Iwo Jima. During the battle, a bullet passed close by his temple striking the bulwark of the ship behind him. He recovered the bullet and brought it to my mother and me. And, while I could never in a million years name every one of my constituents and neighbors who fought in this theater, I have had the honor of hearing so many stories:

1. Writing last Friday for the Gainesville Sun on V-J Day, Bob Gasche of Gainesville was a Marine who saw combat in the Pacific.

And from my hometown of Ocala,

2. James C. Phillips, while we were interviewing him for the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project, quietly described his harrowing experience as a Kamikaze survivor of the USS Luce;

3. Dewey Roberson joined the Army Air Corps and went from New Guinea to the Philippines to Okinawa, dodging bombs every step of the way;

4. Nolie Deas was in the 517th Army Battalion in the South Pacific who invaded the Philippines in June 1945;

5. Leonard Orr served in the 509th Composite Group in the Air Force; and

6. Tommy Needham served in the Naval Reserve in post-war Japan. All of these gentlemen, and many women, brought us to Victory in Japan.

But I did not author this legislation to rehash the horrific, but brave, tales of Pacific battles; this has been done so much before. Instead, I wanted, in this World War II anniversary year, to focus attention once more, as we did 60 years ago, on what we called V-J Day.

For years following World War II, both V-E Day (Victory in Europe, May 8) and V-J Day (Victory over Japan, Aug. 14), were commonly printed on calendars. But that's not so anymore, and I think this is a little sad. And sometimes, when I talk to veterans of the Pacific Theater they'll say, ``You know Cliff, we see movies like `Saving Private Ryan', and `Band of Brothers'. And while we take nothing away from the tremendous triumph of our brothers in the European theater, we sure would like our story told, too.'' And, I do think this summer we are seeing a renewed interest. For example, the movie ``The Great Raid'', about the successful rescue of over 500 Americans from a Japanese POW camp by the 6th Army Rangers Battalion and Filipino guerrillas was released. In my hometown, Ocala, Florida, the Yankee Air Force Inc. had a V-J Day dance on August 6 at the American Legion Post 58. More, the History Channel hosted and aired a commemoration on the USS Intrepid in New York City on V-J Day, on August 14th. Also Sunday the 14th, Moosup, Connecticut held a parade, believed to be the only V-J Day parade still held in the eastern United States. Meanwhile, the President commemorated the 60th Anniversary of V-J Day Naval Air Station North Island San Diego, California. And still, last Friday night September 2 on the National Mall, the National Park Service put on a fireworks display.

So, I think you, Pacific Theater veterans, are getting your due this summer and it is essential and proper that we as a grateful nation honor you.

When I talked about my V-J Day resolution, I encountered questions about when, exactly is it? Some refer to it as the day that the Emperor announced the surrender: August 15th. This is when Many of our World War II allies formally recognize August 15th as ``V-J Day'', namely the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia. In Australia, as a matter of fact, they are particularly adamant about naming August 15th V-J, and not V-P for Victory in the Pacific, as some do, because the Australians in the West fought just as strongly in the Indian Ocean. Relatedly, some Asian lands, such as China and Korea, recognize August 15 as Liberation Day.

Also in the U.S., since the surrender announcement fell on August 14th in American time zones, you may see this date commemorated to as V-J Day. Finally, it may refer to the date of the formal surrender, September 2, 1945.

I would like to take us back to August 14, 1945, to the battlefront, and to the homefront. When this news was made public over radios, Americans experienced a moment mixed of both relief and jubilation. This is the very essence of V-J Day--a collective exhalation of ease, and expressive ebullience.

We had endured years of worry, of rationing, planting Victory Gardens and canning, buying war bonds. Even school children bought many war stamps and pasted them in special books. When the books were filled, the students traded them in for a war bond. We had air raid drills and civil defense patrolled blackouts on our own soil. Civil defense wardens saw to it that people obeyed the rules. According to a North Carolina history museum, one Wilmington, North Carolina department store clerk was even arrested, convicted, and fined ``for smoking a lighted cigarette upon the streets after having been warned by a person in authority to extinguish it.'' We studied printed plane silhouettes to learn the shape of enemy aircraft. Ration coupons for sugar, meat, fabric, and gasoline were a way of life, as was carpooling to preserve rubber and gasoline for troops. Housewives poured off cooking fat to be salvaged for munitions.

But on V-J Day, this was over in an instant. America was thrown open for the Nation's single largest tailgate party, and we were all rooting for the same team. In the joyous celebration, there was no difference between enlisted or officer or civilian, Americans danced in the streets, honked horns, blared radios. Americans poured into village parks, busy city squares and the streets. Libations flowed and everywhere, the noise was deafening.

Even days before the surrender, when it appeared eminent, there was some interesting preparation. In my State of Florida, on August 10, 1945, Governor Millard F. Caldwell issued a proclamation calling for Floridians to maintain the ``solemnity and dignity of the occasion'' by avoiding ``boisterous conduct,'' and to facilitate this, that ``all liquor package stores, bars and tap rooms and places dispensing alcoholic beverages, remain closed during that period''. I do not imagine that he achieved the abstemious decorum he sought, but it all went well. (I would like to enter this into the Record.)

Of course, the image most recognizable to Americans, and the world, is of the Life magazine cover of a joyous, kissing sailor and nurse, which photographer Alfred Eisenstadt froze for all time. In an interview last month, Edith Cullen Shain recalled the pandemonium on August 14, 1945, the day of victory for the Allied Forces over Japan, when people grabbed anyone and hugged and kissed each other. ``I let him kiss me because he had been in war and he fought for me,'' Shain said of the sailor. ``I only wish now I had had a conversation with him or asked his name. I just got lost in the moment,'' said Shain, now an 87-year-old great-grandmother from Santa Monica, California. And never missing the opportunity to point out a Floridian, I share that Elizabeth Harris of Tampa is the lady in the photo peeking over the sailor's shoulder. Also, two Floridians had their own V-J Day kiss. Betty and Dominick Bruno, 79 and 86 today living in Lakeland, never met but conducted a wartime correspondence. They finally met in person in Charlotte, North Carolina four years later, and kissed in the V-J Day bedlam in the streets, and have become local celebrities in Charlotte where they are featured in newspaper stories every decade on the anniversary of V-J Day.

I would like to close with a testament that understandings and alliances can arise out of former cataclysm, today Japan stands with us as a true and enduring friend, fellow economic world leader, and force for a stable and prosperous Asia.

Thank you, again, for bringing this Resolution to the Floor. As the events of World War II pass further into history, the deeds of so many must not fade in our memories. The veterans in the Pacific Theater brought peace and liberation to millions, and as Americans rejoiced on V-J Day 1945, we will continue to salute you for many years to come.

[From: Division of Elections, Proclamations and Executive Orders, 1845-

1995, Series S 13]

V-J Day Proclamation, 1945

The United States entered the Second World War in December

1941, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

For the next fours years Americans participated in what was

arguably the greatest national endeavor in our nation's

history.

World War II had an enormous impact on the state of

Florida. More than 250,000 Floridians served in the Army,

Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard and almost 4,700 gave their

lives. About 170 military training bases of various sizes

were established in the state; while shipyards at Tampa,

Jacksonville, Panama City, and Pensacola turned out Liberty

Ships and landing craft; and Florida farmers helped feed both

Allied soldiers and civilians.

Spessard L. Holland served as Florida's governor for most

of World War II, but Millard F. Caldwell had been elected the

state's twenty-ninth governor in late 1944. He presided over

the victory celebrations that erupted across the state in May

1945 upon the defeat of Nazi Germany, and again in August

1945, when victory over Japan was proclaimed.

On August 10, when it became obvious that Japan was on the

verge of surrender, Governor Caldwell issued a proclamation

calling for Floridians to maintain the ``solemnity and

dignity of the occasion'' by avoiding ``boisterous conduct.''

He urged all establishments that dispensed alcohol to close

for twenty-four hours following the announcement of the

surrender. Nevertheless, when news reached the state a few

days later of Japan's acceptance of surrender terms, joyous

pandemonium ensued. ``News of the Japanese capitulation last

night hit Tallahassee,'' reported a newspaper, ``with the

force of Uncle Sam's new atomic bomb and was the signal for

everybody to unloose that pent-up feeling and start what old-

timers view as the most wild, I spontaneous and enthusiastic

celebration ever witnessed in the Capital City.''

A text version of the V-J Day proclamation is included

below the graphic image.

Proclamation

State of Florida

Executive Department

Tallahassee

WHEREAS, the announcement of victory against Japan and the

final end of the destructive world-wide conflict, in which we

have been engaged since 1941, will be received by the people

of Florida, of the United States of America, and of the

entire civilized world, with gratitude and thanksgiving that

we have been spared further damage and sorrow, and

WHEREAS, the solemnity and dignity of this occasion should

not be marred by any boisterous conduct on the part of the

thoughtless or by any tragic incident that can be avoided,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Millard F. Caldwell, by virtue of the

authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Florida,

proclaim V-J DAY in Florida as the twenty-four hours next

succeeding announcement of the surrender of Japan upon the

proclamation by the President of the United States that

hostilities are at an end, and urge that all liquor package

stores, bars and tap rooms and other places dispensing

alcoholic beverages, remain closed during that period;

I also call upon the Sheriffs, their deputies and other law

enforcement officers throughout the State to cooperate in

making V-J Day orderly, dignified and law-abiding in

accordance with the spirit and intent of this proclamation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused

to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Florida at

Tallahassee, the Capital, this the 10th day of August, A.D.

1945.

Millard F. Caldwell,

Governor.

Attest: R. A. Gray, Secretary of State.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I join in supporting House Resolution 360 recognizing V-J Day.

Last week, I was honored to serve on a delegation with Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, accompanied by Col. Antonio Baines (U.S. Army-- Ret.) for the V-J Day activities in Beijing, China. The U.S. Embassy staff professionally coordinated the visit.

A highlight was to meet with U.S. veterans who served in China during World War II. It was inspiring to personally meet heroes who still exhibit the courage of their service 60 years ago.

I am grateful for my host, the Hon. Jiang Enzhu, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress, who extended the invitation and provided a warm exchange of ideas to promote Chinese American Friendship. I addressed concern that the talks on textile imports had broken down the previous day.

At the Great Hall of the People, we were welcomed by the Hon. Sheng Hauren, Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee. In a frank exchange of viewpoints, we determined China and America have more in common rather than differences.

It was inspiring to join veterans of a dozen nations at the Beijing Peace Wall for the signing for the Beijing Peace Declaration. Our stay concluded with a dinner hosted by President Hu Jintao.

As the son of a Flying Tiger who served in China, I especially was appreciative to attend these events. My late father, 1LT Hugh D. Wilson, was proud to have protected the Chinese people in the Fourteenth Air Force as a member of the 91st Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group known as the Thunderdragons of Fungwaushan, China.

The following report by my father was presented to fellow 14th Air Force Veterans as he reflected on his service.

A Night on a Sandbar on the Yangtze River--March 8, 1945

(By Hugh D. Wilson)

I had spent twelve months in China as a fighter pilot,

flying P-40's and P-47's. In another three months I would

finish my quota of missions and be on my way home.

On March 7, Lt. Col. Getchel, 1st Lt. Phil Van Sickle and I

were called into our CO's office to inform us that we had

been picked to ferry three L-5's (Stinson) from Kunming to

Chengtu a distance of 600 miles. We were to fly by transport

to Kunming early on the 8th. The planes would be ready and we

were to fly half way back by night fall to Ipin, spend the

night and then on to Chengtu.

We took off from Kunming about 2 p.m. with an ETA at Ipin

at 5 p.m. The L-5's had a 165 HP Engine and we were cruising

about 100 MPH.

Van Sickle and I being 1st Lts. closely followed our Col.

which was a mistake, for after about two hours he called on

the radio that he thought he had missed a check point.

I had been doing some map reading and assured the Col. that

we couldn't be far off course and should reach the Yangtze

river in about 45 minutes. So--on we flew and arrived at the

river in one hour. The Col. said he thought we were west of

Ipin and that we should fly east along the river until we

could recognize some check points.

Ipin is at the foot of the Himalaya mountains on the

headwaters of the Yangtze river. We were warned not to fly

much west of Ipin because there was a tribe of Chinese head

hunters at the foot of Mt. Minya Konka. (Second highest

mountain in the world 24,900 ft.)

It was getting dark about this time as I spotted a white

sand bar that I thought we could land on. We all agreed and

flew down close to get a good look. The river runs thru a

narrow valley with mountains on each side rising to 800 ft.

On landing the Col. who went in first landed too far from

the water where the sand was soft and nosed but he was not

hurt. Van Sickle and I were both from Florida and knew that

on our beaches the sand is firmer at the water's edge. We

both got in fine. In a few minutes it was dark.

In about thirty minutes we could see a circle of lanterns

all around us and closing in slowly. We didn't know whether

they were head hunters or who. As they closed in on us we

stood close together and agreed to be as friendly as possible

(all the Chinese we knew was ``Ding How''--``good''). Inside

my jacket I had the Chinese and American flag and I took it

off to show them.

There were at least fifty men all with a lantern with

candles in them and each had a gun of some kind. I have never

seen as many old guns, some were blunderbusses even.

In a few minutes they acknowledged that we were Americans

and friendly. They took a good look at our planes and saw the

U.S. Air Force identification.

In another twenty minutes, a Chinese Buddha monk arrived

from a monastery that was atop the mountain just above us. He

could speak some English and asked us to follow him up the

mountain for shelter for the night (800 ft).

The monk offered us some food and we decided to eat some of

their duck eggs.

After a fairly comfortable night and assured by the monks

that we were east of Ipin the Col. flew with me west to Ipin

and to gas up (50 miles). We then flew back to assure Van

Sickle that he could follow us home. We transferred the gas

from the wrecked plane to Van Sickle's and flew on home with

no further trouble. This time we all three navigated!

The above summary is indicative of the courage of our veterans in China and it is with deep appreciation that I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 360.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 360) commemorating the 60th anniversary of V-J Day and the end of World War II in the Pacific.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I would like to begin by thanking the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns), my good friend and colleague, for authoring this resolution. The gentleman is a Member who is considerably schooled in the Far East and knows well the effects which the war in the Pacific had, not only on Japan, but on other nations in the region.

The gentleman from Florida is also a senior member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and I know that he has been a leader in ensuring that no veteran is ever left behind. He is also the author of the Millennium Health Care Act, which puts a special emphasis on providing long-term health care, especially to our World War II veterans. So it is very fitting, I think, that the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) is the author of this resolution, and I thank the gentleman for introducing it.

Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 360 is a resolution that recognizes the 60th anniversary of victory in the Pacific during World War II, V-J Day.

Mr. Speaker, 60 years ago the guns fell silent and the world was able to begin the process of, paraphrasing Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg when he said, we will bind up our Nation's wounds when we begin the very difficult and arduous process of binding up the world's wounds. The loss of life was indeed staggering; the process of rebuilding seemingly insurmountable. But just as Americans had rallied in war, Americans rallied in peace as well.

This resolution reiterates the simple, but very powerful, message that our Nation honors and deeply appreciates

the men and women who served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, and we especially remember and pay tribute to those Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Mr. Speaker, we take this opportunity to honor those individuals who gave their lives in the Pacific Theatre and thank all veterans of World War II. During the war, several million members of the United States Armed Forces fought in the Pacific, including the chairman of the International Relations Committee, our distinguished friend and colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde). This was one of the largest military forces ever committed by the U.S. in any theatre of operation.

I would also briefly pay tribute to my own late father, who saw horrific combat starting in New Guinea and ending in the Philippines. My dad was tough as nails but had a very gentle heart, and he was like so many of those combat veterans that I have met over the many years who absolutely hated war, but felt it was his duty to defend freedom and to defend America.

This resolution recognizes the staggering deaths and casualties and the struggle by military forces and civilians of the allied powers during the epic struggle for the control of the Pacific. It also recognizes that since the war Japan has become a free and prosperous democracy and has become a valued partner in the process of standing tall against despotism and oppression.

This is an occasion, Mr. Speaker, to remember and to commemorate. We must remember why the war was fought, remember the victims and the heroes, and thank those who fought so hard and sacrificed so much. I join millions of Americans participating in thousands of events all across the United States, many of which have already been held, and around the world, in observing and honoring the courage of American servicemembers, allied soldiers, and home front workers. This truly was the greatest generation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the author of the resolution, my distinguished friend and colleague from Florida (Mr. Stearns).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege for me to address this resolution where the House will once again congratulate the Armed Forces of our great Nation for their service in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. And it is also a privilege to serve on a committee whose chairman participated in the struggle against fascism by helping liberate the Philippines and helped liberate the people of those islands from Japanese control.

It is with a point of personal privilege to support this particular resolution that I stand to mention that my family, like so many other families, were affected. Just about every family in the United States of America was affected by World War II, and most by the Pacific Theatre in World War II.

My grandfather had the honor to serve on the Military Affairs Committee of the United States Senate during World War II; and during that service on the Military Affairs Committee, he spent time in the Pacific Theatre meeting with such American heroes as General Douglas MacArthur and General Joseph Stillwell to discuss allied war strategy. He said that he was never more proud than he was of our soldiers in the Pacific Theatre because they gave everything that they had.

The liberation of much of Eastern Asia and the eventual victory of allied forces in the war on the Pacific now seems to have been predetermined. Yet it was anything but decided during that important moment in global history.

Mr. Speaker, I have the greatest respect and admiration for the sacrifices of American soldiers, many of whom gave their lives in this epic battle against the forces of fascism. There are millions of citizens in the Asia-Pacific region, from the Philippines to South Korea, who also owe their freedom to the brave Americans who fought our enemies at Midway, at Guadalcanal and many other places.

In many ways, Mr. Speaker, the victory over Japan was more of a beginning than an end. In the aftermath of World War II, the United States developed strong alliances across the Asian-Pacific region that have only strengthened over the last 60 years.

The United States and Japan have developed a robust multifaceted relationship based on shared democratic values and mutual interests in Asia and global stability and development.

The strength of our relationship with Japan today demonstrates that the sacrifices made by brave American soldiers in the Pacific Theatre were indeed not in vain. With passage of this resolution, we once again commemorate these enormous contributions and commit ourselves to remembering for all time those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, it is only right that we continue to help these veterans. I was amazed to hear reports that members of our Armed Forces who survived Pearl Harbor have now survived Hurricane Katrina.

415 veterans from World War II and Korea whose Armed Forces retirement home in Gulfport, Mississippi, was swamped by Hurricane Katrina have been relocated around the country; 250 of those veterans have come to this very city.

Mr. Speaker, just as we are caring for our veterans who have been afflicted by this horrendous crisis, I hope this House quickly turns to the relief of all of our people on our Nation's gulf coast.

And I would also like to thank the U.S. servicemen and -women and all those citizens who are helping the citizens of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama survive and recover from the devastation that they are enduring.

I fully support the emergency appropriations that this House passed last week. And I and the people of Kentucky stand ready to not only help the veterans but also every U.S. citizen affected by this devastating natural disaster.

Mr. Speaker, we are supremely proud of our heroes of the Pacific Theatre in World War II. And I proudly support this resolution. I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, as we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the victory over Japan and the end of World War II in the Pacific Theater, let us not forget the suffering and injustices experienced by prisoners of war (POWs) and innocent civilians who found themselves in the path of the Japanese military.

Thousands of American servicemen in the Pacific Theater were taken prisoner during World War II. Many were subjected to the Bataan Death March, in which the Japanese military forced them to march more than 60 miles

with little food or water. During this torturous trek, hundreds of U.S. soldiers died of dehydration, starvation, and violence. After being transported to Japan, many of these American POWs were handed over to private Japanese companies to toil as slave laborers.

Sadly, American POWs were not the only victims of Japanese military abuse. The list of atrocities committed by the Japanese military is extensive. Some of the more widely known acts of brutality include: death, beheadings, rape and other violent acts, forced labor and marches, and imprisonment during the occupation of Guam and many Asian countries; creation of a biochemical warfare detachment, known infamously as Unit 731 in Mukden, Manchuria, where horrendous experiments on living POWs were conducted; killing of more than 300,000 Chinese men, women, and children and the rape of 20,000 women during the event known as the `Rape of Nanking'; and forced sexual slavery of hundreds of thousands of women from Korea, the Philippines and other countries for Japanese troops.

I acknowledge that H. Res. 360 properly recognizes that, ``Japan is now a free and prosperous democracy, a valued and durable friend based on shared values and mutual interests, and a guarantor against despotism and oppression in that area of the world.'' However, we must not forget the past.

While the Government of Germany has formally apologized to the victims of the Holocaust and has taken great steps to provide financial compensation to the victims, the Government of Japan has refused to fully acknowledge the crimes it committed during World War II, and to provide reparations to its victims. The Government of Japan must reconcile its past in order to become a trusted world leader today.