[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 65 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. J. RES. 65

 Commending the World War II veterans who fought in the Battle of the 
                     Bulge, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             August 5, 1999

    Mr. Smith of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. Stump, and Mr. Evans) 
 introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to the 
  Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on 
International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by 
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
           within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
 Commending the World War II veterans who fought in the Battle of the 
                     Bulge, and for other purposes.

Whereas the battle in the European theater of operations during World War II 
        known as the Battle of the Bulge was fought from December 16, 1944, to 
        January 25, 1945;
Whereas the Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive in the Ardennes 
        forest region of Belgium which took Allied forces by surprise and was 
        intended to split the Allied forces in Europe by breaking through the 
        Allied lines, crippling the Allied fuel supply lines, and exacerbating 
        tensions within the alliance;
Whereas 600,000 American troops participated in the Battle of the Bulge, 
        overcoming numerous disadvantages in the early days of the battle that 
        included fewer numbers, treacherous terrain, and bitter weather 
        conditions;
Whereas the Battle of the Bulge resulted in 81,000 American casualties, of whom 
        19,000 were killed, 33,400 were wounded, and 2,000 were either captured 
        or listed as missing in action;
Whereas the worst atrocity involving Americans in the European theater during 
        World War II, known as the Malmedy Massacre, occurred on December 17, 
        1944, when 86 unarmed American prisoners of war were gunned down by 
        elements of the German 1st SS Panzer Division;
Whereas American forces overcame great odds throughout the battle, including 
        most famously the action of the 101st Airborne Division in holding back 
        German forces at the key Belgian crossroads town of Bastogne, thereby 
        preventing German forces from achieving their main objective of reaching 
        Antwerp as well as the Meuse River line;
Whereas the success of American forces in defeating the German attack made 
        possible the defeat of Nazi Germany four months later in April 1945;
Whereas thousands of United States veterans of the Battle of the Bulge have 
        traveled to Belgium in the years since the battle to honor their fallen 
        comrades who died during the battle;
Whereas the people of Belgium, symbolizing the friendship and gratitude toward 
        the American soldiers who fought to secure their freedom, have 
        graciously hosted countless veterans groups over the years;
Whereas the city of Bastogne has an annual commemoration of the battle and its 
        annual Nuts Fair has been expanded to include commemoration of the 
        legendary one-word reply of ``Nuts'' by Brigadier General Anthony 
        McAuliffe of the 101st Airborne Division when called upon by the 
        opposing German commander at Bastogne to surrender his forces to much 
        stronger German forces;
Whereas the Belgian people erected the Mardasson Monument to honor the Americans 
        who fought in the Battle of the Bulge as well as to commemorate their 
        sacrifices and service during World War II;
Whereas the 55th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in 1999 will be marked 
        by many commemorative events by Americans and Belgians; and
Whereas the friendship between the United States and Belgium is strong today in 
        part because of the Battle of the Bulge: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress--
            (1) commends the veterans of service in the United States 
        Army who fought during World War II in the German Ardennes 
        offensive known as the Battle of the Bulge;
            (2) honors those who gave their lives during that battle;
            (3) authorizes the President to issue a proclamation 
        calling upon the people of the United States to honor the 
        veterans of the Battle of the Bulge with appropriate programs, 
        ceremonies, and activities; and
            (4) calls upon the President to reaffirm the bonds of 
        friendship between the United States and Belgium.
                                 <all>