[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 17 Introduced in House (IH)]







105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 17

    Calling upon, and requesting that the President call upon, all 
 Americans to recognize and appreciate the historical significance and 
 the heroic human endeavor and sacrifice of the people of Crete during 
   World War II, and commending the PanCretan Association of America.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 7, 1997

  Mr. Klink (for himself, Mr. Bilirakis, and Mr. Coyne) submitted the 
     following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                        International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Calling upon, and requesting that the President call upon, all 
 Americans to recognize and appreciate the historical significance and 
 the heroic human endeavor and sacrifice of the people of Crete during 
   World War II, and commending the PanCretan Association of America.

Whereas May 20, 1997, marks the 56th anniversary of the heroic Battle of Crete, 
        which took place on the Greek island of Crete during World War II 
        between Nazi German forces and the people of Crete assisted by the 
        Allied armies;
Whereas the people of Crete fought tenaciously during the Battle of Crete, 
        delaying for two months the Nazi German invasion of Russia;
Whereas this delay forced Nazi German forces to invade Russia in the face of the 
        brutal Russian winter, changing the final outcome of World War II and 
        leading to the defeat of fascism;
Whereas many historians agree that the Battle of Crete was one of the most 
        significant battles of World War II;
Whereas the Battle of Crete contributed to saving the free world from Nazi 
        German occupation, thus preserving democracy, freedom, and human 
        dignity;
Whereas the Cretan Resistance Movement was organized to fight the Nazi German 
        occupation of the island of Crete;
Whereas for 4 years, the Cretan Resistance Movement inflicted heavy casualties 
        upon Nazi German forces, including kidnapping a heavily-guarded Nazi 
        German General, setting an example for all of the people of Europe to 
        follow;
Whereas the people of Crete suffered savage reprisals for their heroic 
        resistance when the Nazi German invaders randomly executed thousands of 
        civilians and burned and destroyed entire communities;
Whereas many participants in the Battle of Crete and the Cretan Resistance 
        Movement later emigrated to the United States and became American 
        citizens; and
Whereas many of these citizens became members of the PanCretan Association of 
        America, an organization comprised of Greek Americans with ancestry from 
        the island of Crete and committed to preserving and promoting the rich 
        culture and proud history of Crete: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) calls upon all Americans to recognize and appreciate 
        the historical significance of the Battle of Crete and of the 
        Cretan Resistance Movement and the heroic human endeavor and 
        sacrifice of the people of Crete during World War II;
            (2) requests that the President issue a Proclamation 
        calling on the people of the United States--
                    (A) to observe the memory of the fallen heroes of 
                the Battle of Crete; and
                    (B) to honor the living men and women of Crete who, 
                during World War II, fought an oppressive invader to 
                preserve the ideals of freedom, democracy, and the 
                pursuit of happiness; and
            (3) commends the PanCretan Association of America for 
        preserving and promoting the history of Crete and its people.
                                 <all>