[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 253 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 253

   Expressing gratitude and appreciation for the entry of the United 
                        States into World War I.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 6, 2017

Mr. Wilson of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. Keating, Mr. Schiff, and 
 Mr. Latta) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
 the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on 
   Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
  Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
           within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Expressing gratitude and appreciation for the entry of the United 
                        States into World War I.

Whereas, on April 2, 1917, President Thomas Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to 
        convene an extraordinary session to officially declare war on the 
        Imperial German Government;
Whereas, on April 4, 1917, the Senate passed a joint resolution that declared a 
        formal state of war between the United States and the Imperial German 
        Government;
Whereas, on April 6, 1917, the House of Representatives adopted the same joint 
        resolution that the Senate had passed, thereby marking the official 
        entry of the United States into World War I;
Whereas, consequently, April 6, 2017, marks the 100th anniversary of the entry 
        of the United States into World War I beside France, Russia, and the 
        United Kingdom, the countries of the Triple Entente;
Whereas, on December 7, 1917, the United States declared war on the Austro-
        Hungarian Empire;
Whereas, beginning in August 1914--

    (1) a portion of France was occupied by German forces; and

    (2) France fought--

    G    (A) beside the United Kingdom and all countries of the British 
Empire (notably, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa), 
Belgium, Russia, Italy, and Portugal;

    G    (B) on land, at sea, and in the air;

    G    (C) along a front line of more than 460 miles; and

    G    (D) to recover full sovereignty;

Whereas, before April 6, 1917, the United States had supported France and the 
        Allies economically, financially, and with human support, including 
        through 3,600 individuals who served as volunteers, ambulance 
        attendants, nurses, philanthropists, and soldiers in the French Foreign 
        Legion;
Whereas the expeditionary force of the United States was created on May 3, 1917, 
        under the command of General John J. Pershing, to provide military 
        support to France and the Allies;
Whereas the United States started huge mobilization efforts after Congress 
        passed the Act entitled ``An Act to authorize the President to increase 
        temporarily the Military Establishment of the United States'', approved 
        May 18, 1917 (50 U.S.C. App. 201 et seq.), thereby introducing military 
        conscription and enabling 4,800,000 individuals from the United States 
        to serve during World War I;
Whereas the first forces of the expeditionary corps led by General Pershing 
        arrived quickly in France;
Whereas General Pershing landed in Boulogne-sur-Mer on June 13, 1917, 14,750 
        members of the First Infantry Division landed in Saint-Nazaire on June 
        26, 1917, and 7,500 soldiers landed in Brest on November 12, 1917;
Whereas members of the Armed Forces were involved in a considerable logistics 
        effort in France, building many transportation infrastructure projects, 
        including roads, harbors, and railways, communications networks, and 
        accommodation buildings, which were crucial for the war effort and the 
        transformation of the French landscape;
Whereas a debt of gratitude is owed to the 3 members of the Armed Forces who 
        fell in France during the first combat of the Armed Forces in 
        Bathelemont-les-Bauzemont on November 3, 1917;
Whereas individuals from many different sectors of the United States population, 
        including African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans, were 
        involved in logistics, support, or combat in France in 1917 and 1918;
Whereas President Thomas Woodrow Wilson was deeply involved in the peace process 
        in Europe, notably through his speech to Congress on January 8, 1918, 
        the 14 points of which were proposed as a basis for negotiation at the 
        Versailles Peace Conference, which started on January 18, 1919;
Whereas approximately 2,000,000 members of the Armed Forces fought in France and 
        126,000 died during the war, including 53,402 individuals who were 
        killed in action in French territory during battles in 1918, such as the 
        Battle of Belleau Wood, the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, and the Meuse-
        Argonne Offensive;
Whereas numerous reminders of the actions of the Armed Forces during World War I 
        remain in France, notably in buildings and memorials; and
Whereas the people of France will always be grateful when remembering the 
        sacrifices of members of the Armed Forces during World War I: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the 100th anniversary of the official entry 
        of the United States into World War I on April 6, 1917;
            (2) expresses its gratitude and appreciation to--
                    (A) the members of the Armed Forces who 
                participated in World War I operations alongside the 
                countries of the Triple Entente; and
                    (B) the members of the Allied Forces who 
                participated in World War I operations alongside France 
                from 1914 until the end of the war;
            (3) commends centenary commemorations to honor people from 
        France, the United States, and all countries involved in World 
        War I that aim to make future generations aware of the acts of 
        heroism and sacrifice performed by the Armed Forces and the 
        Allies;
            (4) recognizes efforts undertaken by France, especially by 
        port cities on the Atlantic coast and by the regions of Hauts-
        de-France, Bretagne, Loire-Atlantique, Aquitaine, Centre, and 
        Grand-Est, to preserve the memory and celebrate the legacy of 
        the involvement of the United States during World War I;
            (5) recognizes that the people of France plan--
                    (A) to celebrate this anniversary with 
                commemorations and relevant programs to express 
                gratitude to those individuals who helped restore hope 
                among the Allies; and
                    (B) during the celebration of the 100th anniversary 
                of the Armistice of November 11, 1918, to express 
                gratitude and appreciation to every--
                            (i) military force that fought alongside 
                        France, inside or outside its territory, during 
                        World War I; and
                            (ii) individuals who died fighting or was 
                        injured during the hostilities, whether 
                        physically or psychologically; and
            (6) encourages all countries involved in World War I to 
        participate in the centennial of the Armistice to the fullest 
        extent possible.
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