[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 154 (Friday, September 29, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14797-S14798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
JOINT MEETING OF CONGRESS AND CLOSING COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE FIFTIETH
ANNIVERSARY OF WORLD WAR II
Mr. COATS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate
immediately proceed to consideration of Senate Resolution 179,
submitted earlier today by Senator Thurmond.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 179) concerning a joint meeting of
Congress and the closing of the commemorations for the
fiftieth anniversary of World War II.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate
consideration of the resolution?
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise today to submit, along with 34 of
my colleagues, a resolution which commemorates the 50th anniversary of
the end of World War II.
September 2d of this year marked this 50th anniversary. World War II
changed the face of the world like no other in our history. We owe this
distinction to our veterans, their families, and those who served on
the home front to support the war effort. Americans made tremendous
sacrifices to protect the ideals of freedom and democracy. Their
accomplishments should not be forgotten. Many American men and women
answered the call of their country, left their homes and jobs, and
boldly entered the war. Civilians on the home front performed the
impossible by manufacturing goods at a rate that astonished the world.
Our country joined together to ration food and grow victory gardens
which aided the war effort. American farmers stepped forward and grew
enough produce to support the allied forces.
The troops overseas offered the ultimate sacrifice as they fought in
the deserts of North Africa, on the streets of European cities, under
the Atlantic Ocean, and on the islands of the Pacific. The Americans
that served and died gave the greatest honor possible to their families
and their country. We should honor these veterans to show that we are a
grateful nation.
Our support of this resolution sends a clear message to all
Americans. It is a reminder to them that we will not forget those that
answered the call of
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duty. This resolution designates the week of November 4-11 as the
Closing Week of Commemorations for the 50th Anniversary of World War
II. This week will be celebrated across the United States. Activities
and honors will be held to recognize the 17-million Americans that
served. The President will also be asked to arrange for any
celebrations he deems appropriate. It is of vital importance that we
not only honor these men and women, but also ensure that the current
generation of Americans are educated about this war and its
consequences. The Bells of Peace will ring on November 11th at 11 a.m.,
striking 50 times for the 50 years without a world war and symbolizing
the hope for at least 50 more years of peace and freedom.
This national recognition of Veterans, their families, and all those
who served at home is well deserved. The dedication and sacrifice of
all our Americans must not be forgotten. We celebrate the valor of
those involved to honor the past.
Mr. COATS. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the
preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table,
and that any statements relating to the resolution appear at the
appropriate place in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 179) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 179
Whereas 50 years ago, this Nation had just emerged from a
war that found Americans fighting a common foe with 32 allied
countries and in which over 17,000,000 Americans served in
the military;
Whereas the United States suffered over 670,000 casualties,
with more than 290,000 deaths, while over 105,000 Americans
were held as prisoners of war;
Whereas on the home front, Americans mobilized to support
the war by increasing the output of manufactured goods by 300
percent and by causing a second agricultural revolution
through the efforts and imagination of our people as the
American farmers mobilized to support the world;
Whereas the war led to dramatic social changes as more than
19,500,000 women joined the workforce at the Nation's defense
plants and 350,000 joined the military;
Whereas the roles of minorities in both the military and
industry were changed forever as more opportunities for
employment and involvement in the defense of the United
States presented themselves;
Whereas the contributions by women, minorities, and all
those on the home front were legion;
Whereas the bringing to a close of the commemorations for
the Fiftieth Anniversary of World War II should be celebrated
across the Nation with programs and activities to thank and
honor the World War II generation, our veterans, their
families, those who lost loved ones, and all who served on
the home front; and
Whereas it is important to educate the generations that
followed World War II on the lessons of this horrific
conflict and to reaffirm the values of human decency: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That--
(1) the Senate and the House of Representatives, by
previous agreement, shall assemble in the Hall of the House
of Representatives on October 11, 1995, for the purpose of
saying to the Nation and the world that the American people
will never forget those who served our Nation and saved the
world, our veterans, and those who served on the home front
as we close the commemoration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of
World War II;
(2)(A) November 4, 1995, through November 11, 1995, is
designated as a ``Week of National Remembrance and the
Closing of the Fiftieth Anniversary of World War II'', with
National Days of Prayer on November 4 and November 5, 1995,
and a World War II Education Day across America on November
8, 1995, and the President is authorized and requested to
issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United
States to observe that period with appropriate ceremonies and
activities;
(B) commemorations during the ``Week of National
Remembrance and the Closing of the Fiftieth Anniversary of
World War II'' shall include the dedication of the future
site of the Nation's World War II Memorial in Washington,
D.C.;
(3) Veterans Day, November 11, 1995, is designated as a
``National Day of Observance and Celebration of the Fiftieth
Anniversary of World War II'', and the President is
authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling on
the people of the United States to observe that day with
appropriate ceremonies and activities; and
(4) each State Governor and each chief executive of each
political subdivision of each State, is urged to issue a
proclamation (or other appropriate official statement)
calling upon the citizens of such State or political
subdivision of a State to participate on November 11, 1995,
at 11 a.m., in the ringing of the Bells of Peace and Freedom
by striking all bells of the Nation 50 times to signify the
50 years without a world war and the world's hope to achieve
another 50 years of peace and freedom.
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