[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 110 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.J.Res.110

                       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


                            Joint Resolution


 
Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge during World 

                                 War II.

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, Belgian, 
  Canadian, and other soldiers, 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, Belgian, Canadian, and other 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, Belgian, Canadian, and other 
  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 Luxembourg has erected over 90 monuments and plaques 
  commemorating the liberation of Luxembourg by United States Armed 
  Forces during World War II;

Whereas the 60th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in 2004 will be 
  marked by many commemorative events by citizens of the United States, 
  Belgium, Luxembourg, and many other nations;

Whereas the friendship between the United States and both Belgium and 
  Luxembourg is strong today in part because of the Battle of the 
  Bulge; and

Whereas section 204 of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2002 (38 U.S.C. 
  2409 note) authorized the Secretary of the Army to place in Arlington 
  National Cemetery a memorial marker honoring those who fought in 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) recognizes the 60th anniversary of the battle in the 
    European theater of operations during World War II known as the 
    Battle of the Bulge, which began with a German surprise attack in 
    the Ardennes forest region of Belgium and Luxembourg and ended with 
    an Allied victory that made possible the defeat of Nazi Germany 
    four months later;
        (2) honors those who gave their lives during the Battle of the 
    Bulge;
        (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) reaffirms the bonds of friendship between the United States 
    and both Belgium and Luxembourg.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.