[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 439 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 439

 Honoring the members of the Army Motor Transport Service that served 
during World War II and participated 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 THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 2, 2004

 Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas submitted the following concurrent 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Honoring the members of the Army Motor Transport Service that served 
during World War II and participated in the trucking operation known as 
 the Red Ball Express for their service and contribution to the Allied 
                 advance following the D-Day invasion.

Whereas June 6, 2004, is the 60th Anniversary of D-Day, the Allied invasion of 
        Normandy, France, during World War II that marked the decisive moment in 
        the war against the Nazis;
Whereas on June 6, 2004, Americans will commemorate the sacrifices of the 
        individuals who fought to preserve the liberty and freedom of the people 
        of the United States;
Whereas on August 21, 1944, the Army Transportation Corps created a trucking 
        operation called the Red Ball Express;
Whereas the Red Ball Express was a massive 82-day convoy effort that supplied 
        the Allied armies moving through Europe after the successful D-Day 
        invasion;
Whereas the convoy system stretched from Normandy to Paris and eventually to the 
        front in the northeastern borderland of France;
Whereas the Red Ball Express played a major role in the defeat of the Nazis by 
        ensuring that United States and other Allied soldiers were properly 
        supplied;
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, by the time the Red Ball Express ended in November 1944, Red Ball 
        Express truckers had delivered nearly 500,000 tons of fuel, ammunition, 
        food, and other essentials needed for the Allied forces to succeed in 
        Europe;
Whereas during World War II many commanders believed that African-Americans were 
        not suitable for war and relegated them to service and supply outfits;
Whereas the majority of Red Ball Express drivers were African-Americans;
Whereas the success of the advance through France was due in great measure to 
        those individuals who drove the supply trucks; and
Whereas the members of the Army Motor Transport Service that 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 Service 
that served during World War II and participated in the trucking 
operation known as the Red Ball Express for their service and 
contribution to the Allied advance following the D-Day invasion.
                                 <all>