[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 883 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 883

Honoring the heroic service and sacrifice of the 350 American soldiers 
        detained at the Nazi camp at Berga during World War II.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 18, 2007

Mr. Baca submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                      Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Honoring the heroic service and sacrifice of the 350 American soldiers 
        detained at the Nazi camp at Berga during World War II.

Whereas in December 1944, over 19,000 United States soldiers died and more than 
        23,000 were captured at the Battle of the Bulge;
Whereas of those captured, 350 American soldiers were segregated and sent to 
        Berga, Germany;
Whereas in February 1945, the 350 American soldiers arrived at a camp called 
        Berga an der Elster;
Whereas this is the only case in which Nazi Germany segregated American soldiers 
        to such a degree;
Whereas these soldiers were victims of the Nazi policy of physical destruction 
        through labor, mostly digging tunnels for an underground armaments 
        factory without proper masks, overcoats, or protective footwear;
Whereas these soldiers were sent to a Nazi camp and detained for over 50 days 
        under inhumane conditions in violation of the Geneva Conventions Accord;
Whereas at least 70 American soldiers died at Berga or on the death march, 
        making this the highest number of American military fatalities at any 
        German camp;
Whereas on April 22, 1945, the Allied forces freed the American soldiers;
Whereas in 50 days, there will only be 250 survivors of the original 350 
        American soldiers from the Berga camp;
Whereas Berga camp survivors reside in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, 
        New Jersey, and New York; and
Whereas many of these soldiers were unjustly denied rightful recognition of 
        their service: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes and expresses its appreciation for the 
        courageous and loyal contributions made by the soldiers 
        detained in Berga, Germany; and
            (2) encourages the people of the United States to recognize 
        the service and loyalty of the soldiers detained in Berga, 
        Germany.
                                 <all>