S.Res. 216 – Reading Mode

III

109th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. RES. 216

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 27, 2005

Mr. Santorum (for himself and Mr. Specter) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

Expressing gratitude and appreciation to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who served in World War II, commending the acts of heroism displayed by those servicemembers, and recognizing the Greatest Generation Homecoming Weekend to be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Whereas World War II began on September 1, 1939, when Nazi Germany invaded Poland without a declaration of war and then moved, following the surrender of Poland, to invade and occupy Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Belgium;

Whereas following the premeditated invasion by Japan on the United States at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, the United States declared war on Japan and entered World War II on the side of freedom and democracy;

Whereas when the fate of the free world was in jeopardy as a direct result of the desire of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime for world conquest, the servicemembers of the United States Armed Forces known as the Greatest Generation assumed the task of freeing the world of Nazism, fascism, and tyranny;

Whereas more than 16,000,000 Americans served in the United States Armed Forces during World War II, and millions more supported the war effort at home;

Whereas more than 400,000 brave Americans made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II in the name of freedom and in defense of the ideals that the people of the United States hold dear;

Whereas units of the United States Army, such as the 1st Infantry Division known as the Big Red One, the 3rd Infantry Division known as the Rock of the Marne, the 10th Armored Division known as the Tiger Division, and the Flying Tigers of the 14th Air Force, valiantly fought to defeat the oppression and tyranny of the Axis Powers;

Whereas the great tragedy of World War II was the defining event of the 20th century, when the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces fought for the common defense of the United States and for the broader causes of peace and freedom from tyranny throughout the world; and

Whereas the members of the United States Armed Forces, including the Greatest Generation of World War II, made sacrifices and displayed bravery and heroism in the name of freedom and democracy throughout the world: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate—

(1)

expresses appreciation to the members of the United States Armed Forces who served during World War II, for—

(A)

the selfless service of those servicemembers to the United States;

(B)

restoring freedom to the world; and

(C)

defeating the elements of evil and oppression;

(2)

commends the heroism and bravery displayed by the members of the United States Armed Forces who served during World War II, known as the Greatest Generation, in the face of death and severe hardship, and honors those servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice;

(3)

proudly honors the members of the Greatest Generation on the occasion of the forthcoming 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, and in conjunction with the Greatest Generation Homecoming Weekend in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;

(4)

proudly honors all members of the United States Armed Forces, past and present, who defend the freedom of the United States in times of both war and peace; and

(5)

commends the participants of the Greatest Generation Homecoming Weekend that takes place from September 2, 2005 through September 5, 2005 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.