[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1099 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1099

      Recognizing the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 23, 2010

 Mr. Braley of Iowa (for himself, Mr. Kline of Minnesota, Mr. Snyder, 
 Mr. Hunter, Mr. Broun of Georgia, Mr. Boswell, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. 
Loebsack, Mr. Latham, Mr. Jones, and Mr. Issa) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
      Recognizing the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Whereas 2010 marks the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, in which the 
        United States Marine Corps and other units of the United States Armed 
        Forces captured the island of Iwo Jima during World War II;
Whereas the Battle of Iwo Jima lasted from February 19 to March 26, 1945, and 
        was the most bitter battle in the history of the Marine Corps;
Whereas more than 70,000 Marines participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima;
Whereas 22 Marines, 4 Navy corpsmen, and 1 Navy landing craft commander received 
        the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in action 
        against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving 
        in the United States Armed Forces, for their service during the Battle 
        of Iwo Jima;
Whereas half of those awards were posthumous awards;
Whereas awards for service during the Battle of Iwo Jima represented more than 
        one-fourth of the 80 Congressional Medals of Honor awarded Marines 
        during World War II;
Whereas, in recognition of the particularly treacherous conditions experienced 
        by members of the United States Armed Forces during the Battle of Iwo 
        Jima, Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet, Fleet Admiral Chester W. 
        Nimitz stated, ``Among the Americans who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon 
        valor was a common virtue'';
Whereas the raising of the American flag over Mount Suribachi on February 23, 
        1945, was witnessed by many Marines all over Iwo Jima and, upon 
        witnessing the sight, United States Navy Secretary James Vincent 
        Forrestal said, ``The raising of that flag means a Marine Corps for 
        another five hundred years'';
Whereas Joe Rosenthal's Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of Marines raising the 
        American flag over Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima 
        produced the most famous and lasting symbol of the courage and 
        determination that brought victory to the United States Armed Forces 
        during World War II;
Whereas the Battle of Iwo Jima was a military victory critical to the assault on 
        Japan, providing a base for American fighter escorts and a way station 
        for bombers raiding Japan;
Whereas the United States success in capturing Iwo Jima was a crucial victory 
        that led to the eventual win of World War II in the Pacific Theatre; and
Whereas 17,372 Marines were wounded and 5,931 Marines made the ultimate 
        sacrifice by giving their lives for their country in the Battle of Iwo 
        Jima: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo 
        Jima; and
            (2) recognizes and commends the members of the United 
        States Marine Corps and all other members of the United States 
        Armed Forces who participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima for 
        their service and sacrifice, with particular honor and 
        gratitude given to those members of the Armed Forces who gave 
        their lives in defense of the United States and of freedom 
        during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
                                 <all>