[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 195 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                           May 4, 2005.
Whereas the final major offensive in the European theater of operations during 
        World War II, known as the Liberation of Western Bohemia, was fought 
        from April 25, 1945, to May 8, 1945, with Victory in Europe (VE) Day 
        declared on May 8, 1945;
Whereas the Liberation of Western Bohemia was the closing offensive of World War 
        II, which decisively contributed to the ultimate capitulation of the 
        German Third Reich;
Whereas on May 4, 1945, General George S. Patton gave the order for the American 
        Third Army, consisting of 18 divisions and 500,000 men, to resume the 
        Allied offensive into Western Bohemia;
Whereas on May 5, 1945, the Third Army liberated the city of Plzen (Pilsen), the 
        western-most city in then-Czechoslovakia;
Whereas on May 6, 1945, as Americans entered Pilsen, flowers were strewn along 
        the paths and into the vehicles of the troops, while young girls and old 
        men and women ran to kiss the soldiers;
Whereas during the communist era, Czechs celebrated their liberation from Nazi 
        Germany on May 9 of each year in commemoration of the Soviet liberation 
        of Prague; however, after the 1989 ``Velvet Revolution'', the date of 
        commemoration was moved to May 8 of each year;
Whereas thousands of American veterans of the Liberation of Western Bohemia have 
        traveled to Pilsen in the years since the liberation to honor their 
        fallen comrades;
Whereas the people of the Czech Republic, 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 between April 25 and May 9, 2005, some 50 communities across the western 
        part of the Czech Republic will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of 
        their liberation by United States, Czech, and Belgian soldiers under the 
        command of General Patton;
Whereas the citizens of Pilsen will dedicate a statue of General Patton which 
        will be unveiled on the town square on the 60th anniversary of the 
        liberation of Pilsen, commemorating the Liberation of Western Bohemia by 
        United States Armed Forces during World War II; and
Whereas the friendship between the United States and the Czech Republic is 
        strong today in part because of the Liberation of Western Bohemia: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of Western 
        Bohemia in the European theater of operations during World War II which 
        culminated in an Allied victory that assured the defeat of Nazi Germany 
        and ended the War in Europe two weeks later;
            (2) honors those individuals who gave their lives during the 
        Liberation of Western Bohemia;
            (3) encourages the President to issue a proclamation calling upon 
        the people of the United States to honor the veterans of the Liberation 
        of Western Bohemia with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and 
        activities;
            (4) reaffirms the bonds of friendship between the United States and 
        the brave citizens of the Czech Republic; and
            (5) seeks to continue building a great future between our countries.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.