Supporting the observance of "Spirit of '45 Day".

Madam Speaker, as the chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I ask all my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 226, to honor our great heroes of the Second World War.

We all know that this was the war that was carried out by the ``Greatest Generation.'' And the Spirit of '45 Memorial Day is to set aside for us and our children and our grandchildren and their children to think about the courage and the heroism and of course the victory of the troops who fought on the Allied side in the Second World War.

This day of remembrance was celebrated several months ago in San Diego on the aircraft carrier Midway, which is stationed as both a learning environment and as a tourist attraction in the San Diego harbor.

One of the great spirits of that day was the nurse, Edith Shain, who was the one who was pictured on the iconic Life Magazine cover of the sailor coming home and kissing the nurse that we all remember as emblematic of the joyous spirit at the end of the war. Edith would go around the country talking about our great heroes. Unfortunately, before we could pass this bill today, she passed away at the age of 91 a few weeks ago.

So in her spirit, and in the spirit of all of those incredible people of the ``Greatest Generation,'' we offer this resolution so our country can always remember their bravery and courage.

I rise in support of this resolution: H. Con. Res. 226 which supports the Spirit of '45, a year-long national campaign to raise public awareness of the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II and the Spirit of '45 Day.

1945 was a defining year in the last century. Even after victory in Europe, our nation still faced many hard-fought battles in the Pacific and the decision to drop the atomic bomb. In August of that year, Japan surrendered, the war was over, and America joined the world to begin the work of peace.

The United States started with the job of rebuilding allies and former enemies alike, leading the effort to form the United Nations, and helping millions of returning veterans begin their civilian lives with the G.I. Bill.

This resolution calls on Congress to support the observance of the ``Spirit of '45 Day.'' A national day of observance is planned for the second Sunday in August to ensure that future generations remember the inspiring courage, sacrifice, and service of what has been called the ``greatest generation.''

To raise awareness about this 65th anniversary, the Spirit of '45 has encouraged communities across the nation to hold commemorative events on August 14 of this year to honor the legacy of the World War II generation whose members are rapidly passing into history. Everyone is asked to collect first-hand memories of those who experienced August 14, 1945, memories that will be preserved on a web site and shared with schools, libraries, museums, memorials and the public as a permanent reminder of a time when people came together to face common challenges as a united country. Many of the memories can also be provided to the Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress.

We officially kicked off this year's activities at a reunion of World War II veterans on the USS Midway in San Diego, on January 18. We were joined by families, students, active duty military personnel, and veterans of WWII and other conflicts.

Also joining us at that momentous event was Edith Shaht, the nurse who was photographed being kissed by a joyous sailor in Times Square on August 14, 1945. This photograph became an iconic reminder of the joy and enthusiasm felt by an entire generation who had sacrificed to bring an end to WWII, and who would take that same energy and devotion to rebuild in the war's aftermath.

Edith was a devoted spokesperson for the Spirit of '45, and I am sad to say that Edith recently passed away on June 20, 2010, at the age of 91. Although Edith is not here today to join us as we pass this resolution, I am pleased to know that by honoring the Spirit of '45 we are honoring the devotion of Edith Shain and millions of others like her whose dedication and actions changed the world.

The Spirit of '45 campaign focuses on how to assure that our ``latest generation'' of veteran gets the kind of welcome home as did their forefathers of the World War II generation, through education and training under the newly-passed ``Post 9/11 G.I. Bill,'' employment opportunities, and ensuring they receive the care and support to reconnect with their families and communities.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the legacy and ideals of the Spirit of '45 by supporting this resolution.

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

I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 226, supporting the observance of Spirit of '45 Day.

Madam Speaker, August 14, 2010, marks the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II. It was on this day in 1945 that the Japanese informed the United States that they had agreed to the terms of the surrender agreement, and after some six horrific years, the Second World War was over.

The Allied victory marked the culmination of an unparalleled national effort that defeated the Axis Powers, liberated oppressed nations, and ended the horrors of the Holocaust. The victory was achieved by the collective service and individual sacrifice of the people of the United States, both those who served on the front lines overseas, as well as those who supported them here at home.

Japan's surrender came some 3 years and 8 months after the bombings at Pearl Harbor, and marked the beginning of an unprecedented era of global rebuilding. The United States was the leader in this effort to not only rebuild the war-ravaged nations of our allies, but of our enemies as well.

Madam Speaker, during World War II, more than 400,000 Americans lost their lives in the ultimate act of sacrifice to our great Nation. The men and

women who were fortunate enough to survive and served so bravely, both on the home front and overseas, make up a generation that many Americans consider the ``Greatest Generation,'' a generation that has and continues to dedicate themselves to service and sacrifice to their communities and to our great country. This generation has promoted civic engagement and created numerous organizations and institutions in the post-war years that have truly made America and the world a better place.

Today, the sacrifice, courage and dedication of those who served during World War II still inspires those who wear the uniform and defend our Nation each and every day. The men and women in our Armed Forces who fight for our freedoms every day in Iraq, Afghanistan and all over the world are the children and grandchildren of those who gave so much in World War II. Undoubtedly, today's soldiers have been influenced and motivated by those who served during the great World War.

Madam Speaker, as we move further away from this historic anniversary, and with many of this generation passing away on a daily basis, it is so easy to forget both the sacrifices that this generation made during the war, and what they did after the war. America's victory catapulted our Nation to become the predominant world superpower, and allowed the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of this generation to grow up in a more prosperous and safe country.

Like my colleagues and all Americans, I am truly thankful for the sacrifices endured by so many during the war and after August 14, 1945. And on the second Sunday in August, the proposed Spirit of '45 Day, I urge each and every American to reflect on the importance of this day and what it means to our country.

Madam Speaker, I strongly support this resolution and urge all Members to join me in supporting H. Con. Res. 226.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers. I urge all Members to support passage.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of a resolution that I have introduced: H. Con. Res. 226 which supports the Spirit of '45, a yearlong national campaign to raise public awareness of the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II, and the Spirit of '45 Day, to be observed each year on the second Sunday in August.

1945 was a defining year in the last century. Even after victory in Europe in World War II, our nation still faced many hard fought battles in the Pacific and the decision to use the atomic bomb. In August of that year, Japan surrendered, the war was over, and America joined the world to begin the work of peace. The United States started with the job of rebuilding allies and former enemies alike, leading the effort to form the United Nations, and helping millions of returning veterans begin their civilian lives with the G.I. Bill.

To raise awareness about this 65th anniversary, the Spirit of '45 is encouraging communities to hold commemorative events on the Spirit of '45 Day, the second Sunday in August, to honor the legacy of the World War II generation whose members are rapidly passing into history. Everyone is asked to collect first-hand memories of those who experienced August 14, 1945, memories that will be preserved on a Web site and shared with schools,

libraries, museums, memorials and the public as a permanent reminder of a time when people came together to face common challenges as a united country. Many of the memories can also be forwarded to the Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress.

The 2010 Spirit of '45 activities will officially kick off at a reunion of World War II veterans on the USS Midway in San Diego, on Monday January 18, 2010. Invited to participate are World War II legends Ernest Borgnine, Tony Curtis, Kirk Douglas, and Hugh O'Brien. Also invited is Edith Shain, the nurse who was photographed being kissed by a joyous sailor in Times Square on August 14, 1945. A presentation will be made to the family of Bob Hope in honor of his legacy of support of our men and women in uniform.

The next major event of the Spirit of '45 will be right here in Washington, D.C. when hundreds of people will gather at the National World War II Memorial and lead the Memorial Day Parade down Constitution Avenue. Moving toward the weekend of August 14-15, public events are to be held across the country to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II, including a major event already being planned in New York City's Times Square. Later events are being discussed for October, the 65th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, and on Veterans Day in November.

The events will focus on how to assure that our ``latest generation'' of veterans receives the kind of welcome home as did their forefathers of the World War II generation, through education and training under the newly-passed ``Post 9/11 G.I. Bill,'' employment opportunities, and many other ways of helping in their efforts to reconnect with their communities. I urge my colleagues to join in support of these remembrances of the ending of World War II by co-sponsoring H. Con. Res. 226.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 226) supporting the observance of ``Spirit of '45 Day''.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present House Concurrent Resolution 226 for consideration, supporting the observance of Spirit of '45 Day to commemorate the anniversary of the end of World War II on August 14, 1945.

H. Con. Res. 226 was introduced by our colleague, Representative Filner of California, in January 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent in July. H. Con. Res. 226 enjoys the strong bipartisan support of over 70 cosponsors.

Madam Speaker, communities across the country will commemorate the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II on August 14 by establishing an annual day of remembrance in honor of the legacy of the men and women of America's so-called ``Greatest Generation.''

August 14, 1945, is a day that changed history. It marked the end of World War II and ushered in a new era of peace, prosperity and unity made possible by the heroic efforts of men and women who risked their freedom to give us ours.

The goal of this resolution is to inspire a renewed sense of community and national unity in our country by establishing a day when America will stop to reflect on the achievements of the men and women who endured the Great Depression, preserved freedom and democracy in the most devastating war in history, and then went on to rebuild their shattered world. Their example of courage, self-sacrifice and commitment to community can inspire a renewed sense of national unity at a time when our country must again come together to meet common challenges.

Spirit of '45 Day will engage young and old in a shared, intergenerational project that will preserve forever an important part of the Nation's history and heritage, while reinvigorating an awareness of the importance of coming together as a community, honoring service to others, and creating a sense of national unity at a time when our Nation is facing major challenges once again.

Madam Speaker, this year marks the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II. And it may be one of the last times Americans can say thank you to our ``Greatest Generation'' for their legacy of service. Let us now honor them and encourage others to follow their example through the passage of H. Con. Res. 226.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner), the author of the resolution.

Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the observance of the Spirit of '45 Day.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 226, to commemorate the end of World War II by observing ``Spirit of '45 Day.'' On August 14, 1945, the people of the United States received word of the long awaited end of the war. While there was celebration, there also was recognition of the 400,000 Americans who gave their lives to this effort.

This day marks the gratitude we have for our veterans, their families, and their sacrifice. We reflect on the beginning of a new era following the war, and the rebuilding of nations with the common goal of developing and maintaining a more peaceful global community. We celebrate the strengthening of American democracy, freedom and service to community and country. We are proud of the unprecedented national effort to defeat forces of aggression.

The achievements of the past continue to be relevant today. The World War II generation, often referred to as the Greatest Generation, is a model of courage and determination that serves as a source of inspiration not only for the men and women serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world, but for civilians as well. It is important we recognize and honor their dedication and self-sacrifice.

That is why as we approach the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II, I proudly support the observance of the second Sunday in August as ``Spirit of '45 Day'' to commemorate the end of World War II on August 14, 1945.