[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 439 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.Con.Res.439
                                        Agreed to July 22, 2004.        

                       One Hundred Eighth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE SECOND SESSION

          Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
           the twentieth day of January, two thousand and four


                          Concurrent Resolution

Whereas June 6, 2004, the 60th anniversary of the World War II D-Day 
  invasion of Normandy, France, was observed by Americans with numerous 
  commemorations of the sacrifices of those who fought to preserve the 
  liberty and freedom of the people of the United States;

Whereas commemoration of those sacrifices and the recollection of those 
  who served should include all who served, including those who 
  performed critical logistics functions;

Whereas after the breakout from the beachheads at Normandy following 
  the D-Day landings, Allied forces began a rapid advance across 
  France, with the result that advancing units in many cases began to 
  outrun their supplies of fuel, food, and ammunition;

Whereas on August 21, 1944, in response to the need for resupply of 
  rapidly advancing forces, the Army Motor Transportation Service 
  created a trucking operation called the Red Ball Express which began 
  operations on August 25, 1944;

Whereas the Red Ball Express was a massive convoy effort to speed 
  supplies to the Allied armies advancing across France;

Whereas the convoy system stretched from Normandy to Paris and 
  eventually to the front in the northeastern borderland of France;

Whereas by ensuring that United States and other Allied soldiers were 
  properly resupplied, the Red Ball Express played a major role in the 
  defeat of Nazi Germany;

Whereas members of the Red Ball Express persevered through arduous 
  driving conditions and constant threats of ground and aerial ambushes 
  and performed their duties with precision and efficiency;

Whereas the Red Ball Express was in operation for 82 days and, by the 
  time Red Ball Express operations were concluded in November 1944, Red 
  Ball Express truckers had delivered over 410,000 tons of fuel, 
  ammunition, food, and other essential supplies for the Allied forces 
  to succeed in Europe;

Whereas, during World War II, many commanders believed that African-
  Americans were not suitable for combat duties and relegated them to 
  service, support, and supply missions;

Whereas the majority of Red Ball Express drivers were African-
  Americans;

Whereas the success of the Allied advance through France was made 
  possible by the soldiers who drove the supply trucks; and

Whereas the members of the Army Motor Transport Brigade who 
  participated in the Red Ball Express contributed unselfishly to the 
  war effort despite the indignities and double standards that they 
  endured: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress honors the members of the Army Motor Transport Brigade 
who during World War II served in the trucking operation known as the 
Red Ball Express for their service and contribution to the Allied 
advance following the D-Day invasion in Normandy, France.
  Attest:

                                 Clerk of the House of Representatives.

  Attest:

                                               Secretary of the Senate.