[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 65 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
H. J. RES. 65


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 6, 1999

  Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                            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 and Luxembourg 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, joined by 55,000 British soldiers and other 
        Allied forces, 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 and 1,400 British 
        casualties, of whom approximately 19,000 American and 200 British 
        soldiers were killed, with the remainder wounded, 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, British, and other Allied 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, British, and other Allied 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 and Luxembourg in the years since the battle to 
        honor their fallen comrades who died during the battle;
Whereas the peoples of Belgium and Luxembourg, symbolizing their 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, Belgians, and Luxembourgers; 
        and
Whereas the friendship between the United States and both Belgium and Luxembourg 
        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 the United States Army, the 
        British Army, and military forces of other Allied nations 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 both Belgium and 
        Luxembourg.

            Passed the House of Representatives October 5, 1999.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.