[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 49 (Wednesday, April 23, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S3559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. WARNER:
  S.J. Res. 27. A joint resolution designating the month of June 1997, 
the 15th anniversary of the Marshall plan, as George C. Marshall month, 
and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.


                        marshall plan resolution

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, today the nations of Europe enjoy 
historically unprecedented freedoms and economic success as democracy 
flourishes across the continent. This was not the case a mere 50 years 
ago.
  I rise today to ask my colleagues and the American people to recall 
the state of the European Continent at the end of World War II. Like 
many of you, I will never forget the horrible devastation that the 
world witnessed in Europe: the destruction of the world's most 
remarkable cities; devastation of God's beautiful countryside; and the 
despair of the people. Europeans endured not only the ravages of two 
world wars, but also economic and political turmoil throughout the 
first half of this century. As I recall, even the elements seemed to 
plot against a post-World War II European recovery--one of the harshest 
European winters on record was in 1946.
  This situation might well have precipitated renewed divisions and 
another war rather than a lasting peace. It was quite possible that we 
may have never enjoyed, in our lifetime, a Europe such as it thrives 
today, if it had not been for the foresight and wisdom of then-
Secretary of State, and former Army Chief of Staff, Gen. George Catlett 
Marshall.
  On behalf of the American people, George Marshall conceived and 
implemented one of the most benevolent acts of charity in the history 
of mankind. Under his stewardship, the European Recovery Program, or 
Marshall plan, provided over $13 billion in economic relief to the 
nations of Europe. Marshall's ingenuity and leadership restored hope 
and pride to a disheartened people, helping them to rebuild their 
cities and societies and again be positive contributors to the 
international community.
  With the economic recovery of Western Europe came political 
stability. The Marshall plan, which Winston Churchill characterized as 
``the most unsordid act in history,'' enabled the re-emergence of free, 
democratic institutions. Today, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development are 
successful institutions which can trace their origins to the Marshall 
plan.
  General Marshall outlined his visionary initiative during remarks 
delivered at Harvard University in June 1947. That same month, he met 
with representatives of European nations to encourage their 
participation. Today, as we approach the 50th anniversary of that 
month, I am proud to introduce this resolution to once again 
acknowledge the integrity, vision, and benevolence of George Marshall, 
statesman and soldier, and the unparalleled importance of the Marshall 
plan in shaping the world of the 20th century. It is important that we 
continue to foster the virtues embodied in the Marshall plan; virtues 
which all the world continues to expect from the United States. I 
invite the support of my colleagues to this important legislation.

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