[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 

[[Page S 14798]]
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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