[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 439 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 439


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 15, 2004

        Received and referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Concurrent resolution honoring 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 of Normandy, France.

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.

            Passed the House of Representatives June 14, 2004.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.