Expressing the gratitude and appreciation of the House of Representatives for the acts of heroism and military achievement by the members of the United States Armed Forces who participated in the June 6, 1944, amphibious landing at Normandy, France, and commending them for leadership and valor in an operation that helped bring an end to World War II.

Madam Speaker, on April 27, 2009, Chairman Skelton and I introduced H. Res. 259 to recognize the members of the United States Armed Forces who participated in the amphibious D-day invasion in Normandy, France and to express the gratitude and appreciation of the House of Representatives for their achievements and acts of heroism.

Madam Speaker, 65 years ago this Saturday marks the 65th anniversary of the beginning of Operation Overlord, commonly referred to as D-day, what would be the largest single amphibious assault in the history of the world.

On June 6, 1944, the supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, said in his official message to the soldiers, sailors and airmen, ``You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave allies and brothers-in-arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe and security for ourselves in a free world.''

General Eisenhower then went on to express his confidence in their ``courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle,'' reminding our young men that the United States would accept nothing less than full victory.

So these brave and selfless young men, in the face of incredible danger and challenges, assaulted the Atlantic Wall--a series of military fortifications along Normandy's coast that consisted of minefields, bunkers and artillery emplacements. They courageously bombarded these fortifications, parachuted and glided behind enemy lines and stormed the beaches, code named ``Utah,'' ``Omaha,'' ``Juno,'' and ``Sword,'' to break the grip of the Nazi and fascist regimes and to restore the hope of freedom to Europe and to the entire world.

These were young men like combat medic and surgical technician Warren D. Blaylock of Alma, Arkansas, who served in the 67th Evacuation Hospital, which arrived at Utah beach shortly following the initial invasion forces. One of Warren's responsibilities was to seek out suitable places to treat and to care for the wounded--tents, schools, buildings or any other suitable cover that could be found to protect the wounded and other personnel from enemy fire.

In one instance, Warren recalls a situation in which German machine gunfire strafed his immediate area, and he dove into a foxhole. At that same moment, another soldier dove into the

same hole, landing on top of him, angrily cursing the enemy. Warren looked up, and it was none other than his good friend Clovis Bryant from Van Buren, Arkansas, who would later become an Arkansas State senator. Warren would serve in five campaigns during his 2 years in Europe, part of that in support of Patton's 3rd Army into the Bastogne area until he was held behind to care for 23 wounded soldiers, all of whom survived thanks to his direct and excellent care. Warren D. Blaylock received the Bronze Star for his service.

While he is just one of many of Arkansas' native sons who served during this very dangerous time, his story is a testament to their bravery, skill and personal sacrifice in the name of freedom. This resolution honors Warren and all of those who fought to bring peace to Europe.

So I would ask all Members of Congress to take pause this Saturday and to remember the great accomplishment of these servicemembers and what the world might have been if not for the bravery, skill and selfless determination to preserve the universal human right of freedom.

I encourage all of my colleagues to thank those servicemembers on the 65th anniversary of their great endeavor for all of the sacrifices made by them and by their entire generation to secure victory and peace for the freedom-loving people of the world.

I would also like to express my appreciation to Chairman Skelton and to his staff for their assistance in bringing forward this resolution, as well as to Mr. McHugh and to his staff so that we might bring this to the House floor in time to honor these servicemembers prior to the 65th anniversary of this great feat. I strongly encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this resolution.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud today to support House Resolution 259, which recognizes the valor and the military achievements of the members of the Armed Forces who participated in the invasion of France on June 6, 1944, 65 years ago.

I want to commend Representative John Boozman from Arkansas and the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Ike Skelton, for sponsoring this legislation.

The facts of Operation Overlord, the start of what General Eisenhower called the ``crusade in Europe,'' are clearly set forth in the text of this resolution. This was the largest amphibious operation in history, and in breaching German defenses, the Allied forces suffered more than 10,000 casualties on the first day of the invasion.

Beyond the facts of the invasion, however, is the heroism and the unselfish sacrifice of the men who carried out this most magnificent operation. One such man was Sergeant Melvin ``Hawkeye'' Myers, a Comanche warrior from the Boone-Apache area of my home State of Oklahoma. As a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, Sergeant Myers parachuted into Normandy in the pre-dawn hours of D-day. He fought the vicious battles to defend the beachhead, and he rescued a fellow soldier before being killed on June 14.

Another Oklahoman who fulfilled his duty that day in June was Harry Furr from Oklahoma City. As the pilot of a glider, his job was to get his canvas and plywood aircraft safely to the ground.

He said, ``They were clumsy, difficult to land and came down pretty fast,'' and many of them crashed.

He had one chance to land with a jeep, a trailer of medical supplies and 15 men aboard. Furr's glider brushed the tops of the trees before landing in a field, smashing in the whole front of the aircraft.

``No one was hurt,'' Furr recalled. ``We got down safe,'' but the Germans were firing on the glider in the field, and they threw in mortars. So Furr noted, ``It was very intense until we got out of that field.''

On the beach, Thomas Valence, a member of the 116th Infantry in the first assault wave, left his landing craft and floundered in knee-deep water. He was almost shot twice through his left hand.

In an article he wrote, he said, ``I made my way forward as best I could. My rifle jammed, so I picked up a carbine and got off a couple of rounds. I was hit again--once in the left thigh, which broke my hip, and a couple of times in my pack, and then the chin strap of my helmet was severed by a bullet.''

He said, ``I worked my way up onto the beach and staggered up against a wall and collapsed there. The bodies of the other guys washed ashore, and I was the one live body amongst many of my friends who were dead.''

Because of the heroism and perseverance of such men as Myers, Furr and Valence, the door to Hitler's fortress in Europe was cracked open. So it is entirely fitting that today, 65 years after that historic day, we take time to honor and to commemorate the events of June 6, 1944.

On that day, which is going to be later this week, I want to urge all of my colleagues to reflect upon the extraordinary service that was rendered by the veterans of World War II. Moreover, I would like to also urge my colleagues, as they see both previous and current members of the Armed Forces whom they encounter, to take time individually to thank them for their service to our great Nation.

I heartily recommend that all of my colleagues vote ``yes'' on this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I would like to reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have another speaker. I would like to yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman).

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 259) expressing the gratitude and appreciation of the House of Representatives for the acts of heroism and military achievement by the members of the United States Armed Forces who participated in the June 6, 1944, amphibious landing at Normandy, France, and commending them for leadership and valor in an operation that helped bring an end to World War II, as amended.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 259 recognizing June 6 as the 65th anniversary of D-Day, the massive amphibious landing on the beaches of Normandy, France, beginning the initial assault of Operation Overlord, and the eventual victory for Allied Forces of World War II.

I rise not only to recognize a day whose historical significance cannot be overstated, but to express gratitude and appreciation to the members of the United States Armed Forces who served in defense of freedom that day, and throughout the campaign.

Before Operation Overlord, the German Army occupied France, giving the Nazi government unrestricted access to the raw materials and industrial capacity of Western Europe. Hailed as a crusade in Europe by Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower, this successful undertaking forced Germany into a two-front war, subsequently beginning the liberation of

France and contributing to the downfall of the Nazi regime.

Approximately 31,000 members of the United States Armed Forces joined the Allied troops on D-day, the largest single amphibious assault in world history. Allied and American soldiers stormed onto five landing fields, secured only 24 hours prior, through airborne operations designed to slow the enemy's ability to launch counterattacks while sufficient forces gathered along the beachhead.

American troops suffered an estimated 5,400 of the 9,400 Allied casualties that day, and their immeasurable sacrifice will never be forgotten.

I would like to make special note of the 29th Infantry Division, which drew part of its ranks from Maryland's Eastern Shore. On D-day, the 29th division was the only National Guard division to land on the beaches of Normandy. Throughout the campaign, they spent 242 days in combat throughout Normandy, northern France, the Rhineland, and Central Europe, earning four Distinguished Unit Citations in the process.

House Resolution 259 is our small way of commending the United States Armed Forces for their leadership and valor in a mission that defined the beginning of the end of World War II. Today, I ask the Members of this House to join me in supporting this resolution, thereby expressing our appreciation and gratitude for the members of the United States Armed Forces involved with D-day operations. We must always remember to honor the sacrifices made by our fellow countrymen so that others around the world may continue to know the gift of freedom.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, at this time, I have no further requests for time. I am prepared to close after my colleague has yielded back her time.

I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 259, expressing gratitude and appreciation to the U.S. Forces who took part in World War II's D-Day invasion, which led to the end of the war in Europe.

This resolution urges Americans to honor the heroic deeds and immeasurable sacrifices of our Allied troops on D-Day. The passing of the years fails to diminish the tremendous debt we owe to the Greatest Generation for liberating Europe and fighting to preserve freedom.

Almost sixty-five years ago, on June 6, 1944, American and Allied Forces invaded Normandy, France, in Operation Overlord. Thus began the arduous task of liberating Europe from the yoke of Nazi tyranny. At the time, few people understood the full impact this invasion would have. But with the success of the D-Day invasion, the tide of the war swung in favor of the Allies, and Adolf Hitler began his ultimate demise.

The sheer scale of Operation Overlord is astounding and even today remains the largest single amphibious assault in history. The first day of the operation involved 5,000 naval vessels, more than 11,000 sorties by Allied aircraft, and 153,000 members of the Allied Expeditionary Force, composed of American, British, and Canadian forces.

But it is important to remember that Allied victory against the entrenched Nazi forces was hardly a foregone conclusion. Our courageous troops who participated in the invasion understood the enormous risks-- and more than 6,500 lost their lives in the effort--but their dedication to duty and love of freedom gave them the strength to take on the seemingly impossible task before them. Their sacrifices made it possible to restore true freedom to millions of people across the European continent.

I was a young teenager during World War II, and my friends and neighbors in uniform were my heroes. The achievements of our D-Day veterans and all those who fought in World War II continue to inspire me today. But our nation has been blessed with generation after generation of patriotic Americans who have selflessly served our country.

As we honor the heroes of D-Day, our thoughts, prayers, and gratitude go also to today's volunteers who wear our nation's uniform. Today's soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines inherit a proud legacy from those who stormed the beaches of Normandy: a legacy of commitment to duty, dedication to freedom, and love of country. As we recognize the 65th Anniversary of D-Day, our nation has an obligation to remember all of these heroes.