[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 15, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 15, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              D-DAY COMMEMORATION APPRECIATED BY VETERANS

  (Mr. BEVILL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BEVILL. Mr. Speaker, I was fortunate to participate in the 50th 
anniversary celebration of D-day on June 6 in Normandy, France, as part 
of a bipartisan congressional delegation.
  As a new Army second lieutenant who participated in the Normandy 
campaign, I was glad to have the opportunity to honor the many heroes 
who fought and died on D-day to liberate Western Europe from the grip 
of Nazi Germany.
  Judging from the many favorable comments I heard from other veterans 
attending the event, the D-day commemoration was very meaningful, very 
moving, and very much appreciated.
  It was highly appropriate that our Nation should be represented at an 
event of this magnitude by our Commander in Chief, the President of the 
United States. The participation of our President along with many other 
heads of state showed these veterans in no uncertain terms that their 
sacrifices will long be recognized for their historic significance.
  I am ashamed that anyone would devalue this momentous event for 
partisan purposes.
  The men who stormed the beaches of Normandy 50 years ago fought in 
the name of freedom and democracy. They fought for all of us and they 
deserve our everlasting gratitude. They deserve to be remembered with 
dignity, not with petty partisanship.
  Our Nation put its best foot forward on the 6th of June 1944, and 
once again, this year on the 50th anniversary of D-day. Our Nation was 
proudly represented and the whole world knows it, especially our 
veterans.

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