[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 41 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 41

Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the United States declaration of 
  war against Germany and entry into World War I and recognizing and 
   appreciating the lasting historical significance and heroic human 
   endeavor and sacrifice of the United States Armed Forces in that 
                               conflict.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 29, 2017

  Mr. Jones (for himself and Ms. Shea-Porter) submitted the following 
  concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed 
                                Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the United States declaration of 
  war against Germany and entry into World War I and recognizing and 
   appreciating the lasting historical significance and heroic human 
   endeavor and sacrifice of the United States Armed Forces in that 
                               conflict.

Whereas the United States declared war against Germany on April 6, 1917, to 
        redress wrongs, including Germany's resumption of unrestricted submarine 
        warfare, violation of United States neutrality, and denial of freedom of 
        the seas to nonbelligerent nations;
Whereas the United States associated itself with the allied powers of the United 
        Kingdom and its Commonwealth, France and its colonies, Russia, Italy, 
        and Japan to defeat the German Empire;
Whereas the United States Army, consisting of the Regular Army, National Guard, 
        and Reserve Corps, with the addition of volunteers and the draftees of 
        the National Army, underwent a transformation from a frontier 
        constabulary and coastal defense force to a modern land-warfare force;
Whereas early 20th century military and technological advances resulted in the 
        incorporation of motor transport, aviation, anti-aircraft artillery, 
        tanks, chemical weapons, aircraft carriers, submarines and anti-
        submarine warfare, sonar, underwater mines, and other innovations into 
        the military arsenal of the United States;
Whereas the need to quickly build a military strength of four million soldiers 
        and half a million sailors required the mobilization of the human 
        resources of the United States, during which members of diverse ethnic 
        groups, races, and creeds, both native-born and immigrant, forged a new 
        American identity;
Whereas the United States Army maintained its defense of American seacoasts, 
        southern border, and overseas possessions, while the Army American 
        Expeditionary Forces deployed ``Over There'' for combat operations in 
        Europe starting in June 1917;
Whereas by the end of World War I, almost two million members of the Army served 
        overseas in the American Expeditionary Forces;
Whereas, during World War I, the United States Navy increased in strength from 
        approximately 69,000 officers and sailors and 342 vessels to more than 
        533,000 officers and sailors and 774 vessels;
Whereas the Navy operated in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and the North and 
        Mediterranean Seas in cooperation with allied navies;
Whereas the Navy began the fight against the German U-boat menace by dispatching 
        destroyers, which eventually totaled 70 in number, and 169 other vessels 
        to counter the submarine threat;
Whereas Navy vessels escorted troop transports carrying 1,250,000 passengers and 
        escorted supply transports carrying 27 percent of all cargo shipped to 
        Europe;
Whereas the Navy deployed five batteries of large-caliber battleship guns 
        mounted on railroad trains to France for service as long-range artillery 
        for the Army;
Whereas the United States Coast Guard transferred to the operational control of 
        the Navy, and augmented that service with approximately 5,000 officers 
        and sailors, 47 vessels of all types, and 279 shore stations;
Whereas the United States Marine Corps, with an eventual wartime strength of 
        75,000 officers and men, detached two regiments and a machine gun 
        battalion to constitute an infantry brigade integrated into the Army's 
        2d Division for service in France;
Whereas, on July 4, 1917, Colonel Charles E. Stanton, one of the officers on the 
        staff of General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary 
        Forces in Europe, famously announced America's commitment to the fight 
        when Colonel Stanton proclaimed upon his arrival in France, ``Lafayette, 
        we are here!'';
Whereas the American Expeditionary Forces formed three field armies, nine corps 
        and forty-three divisions, plus various units of the Services of Supply;
Whereas the American Expeditionary Forces suffered 244,000 casualties in 
        fighting in thirteen named campaigns in World War I; and
Whereas participation in World War I resulted in the completion of a period of 
        reform and professionalism that transformed the Armed Forces from a 
        small dispersed organization to a modern industrialized fighting force 
        capable of global reach and influence: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) honors the memory of the fallen heroes who wore the 
        uniform of the United States Armed Forces during World War I;
            (2) commends the Unites States Armed Forces for preserving 
        and protecting the interests of the United States during World 
        War I;
            (3) commends the brave members of the United States Armed 
        Forces for their efforts in ``making the world safe for 
        democracy,'' and preserving the founding principles of the 
        United States at home and abroad during World War I;
            (4) commends the brave members of the United States Armed 
        Forces for preserving and protecting the sea lanes of commerce 
        and communications during World War I that ensured the 
        continued prosperity of the United States;
            (5) celebrates and congratulates the United States Army, 
        Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard during the 
        commemoration of the centennial of World War I for a job well 
        done; and
            (6) calls on all people of the United States to join in the 
        commemoration of the centennial of World War I in events 
        throughout the United States and overseas.
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