[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1048 Introduced in House (IH)]








109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1048

 Honoring the courageous actions of Minnie Vautrin during the Rape of 
                      Nanking during World War II.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 27, 2006

  Mr. Honda (for himself, Mr. Evans, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. McDermott, Mr. 
   Hyde, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Ms. Zoe Lofgren of 
  California, Mr. Towns, Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania, Mr. Conyers, Mr. 
Gonzalez, Mr. Wynn, Mr. Schiff, and Ms. Matsui) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Honoring the courageous actions of Minnie Vautrin during the Rape of 
                      Nanking during World War II.

Whereas the Japanese Army's invasion and occupation of Nanking, China, in 1937 
        is historically known as the ``Rape of Nanking'';
Whereas during that tragic atrocity, an estimated 300,000 innocent Chinese 
        civilians were killed by the Japanese army and over 20,000 were raped, 
        with some estimates as high as 80,000;
Whereas Minnie Vautrin was born on September 27, 1886 in Secor, Illinois;
Whereas in 1912, Miss Vautrin went to China as a missionary and educator and 
        while there served on the faculty of Ginling College in Nanking for more 
        than 20 years;
Whereas when the Japanese army invaded Nanking on December 13, 1937, Miss 
        Vautrin, and the other few non-Chinese people in the city who refused to 
        evacuate, worked to protect the civilians who were mostly women and 
        children;
Whereas by using the American flag and obtaining proclamations from the American 
        Embassy in China maintaining Ginling College as a sanctuary, Miss 
        Vautrin repelled incursions into the campus;
Whereas Miss Vautrin risked her own life and valiantly protected over 10,000 
        women and children in Ginling from the Japanese army; and
Whereas survivors of the Rape of Nanking were so grateful to Miss Vautrin that 
        they gave her the names ``Living Goddess'' and ``Goddess of Mercy'': 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That Congress honors--
            (1) Minnie Vautrin's commitment to education and 
        humanitarianism and to saving thousands of lives; and
            (2) Miss Vautrin's sacrifice, courage, humanity, and 
        commitment to peace, mercy, hope, and justice during the 
        violent Rape of Nanking.
                                 <all>