[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 18 (Thursday, February 12, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1310-S1311]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CAMPBELL:
  S.J. Res. 27. A joint resolution recognizing the 60th anniversary of 
the Allied landing at Normandy during World War II; to the Committee on 
the Judiciary.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, it is a privilege to introduce a joint 
resolution commemorating the 60th anniversary of the June 6, 1944 
landings in Normandy that paved the way for the liberation of Europe. 
Operation Overlord, code named D-Day, was the culmination of months of 
planning and strategic air attacks. Under cover of darkness 18,000 
British and American airborne forces were deployed in the initial phase 
of the operation commanded by Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight 
D. Eisenhower. Combined Allied forces landed at Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno 
and Sword as part of the largest air, land, and sea invasion ever 
undertaken. In all, over 5,000 ships and landing craft, 10,000 
airplanes and 150,000 Allied forces took part in the operation.
  An estimated 70,000 Americans took part in D-Day operations, 
including 225 U.S. Rangers who scaled the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc to 
capture German heavy artillery emplacements. American troops also 
landed at Utah beach, and at Omaha beach where they faced a myriad of 
challenges, including high seas, mines and elite German infantry 
forces.
  In a radio address and prayer to the American people on the evening 
of June 6, President Franklin D. Roosevelt laid out the mission 
undertaken by G.I.s and Allied forces: ``They fight not for the lust of 
conquest, They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and 
tolerance and goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end 
of battle, for their return to the haven of home.'' During the evening 
of June 6, 1944 church bells tolled throughout America and in 
Philadelphia the Liberty Bell was rung as Americans awaited word from 
the rocky battlefield of northern France.
  On that fateful day, 1,465 Americans laid down their lives on the 
field of battle. Another 3,184 were wounded, 1,928 missing, and 26 
captured. In the days and weeks to follow, thousands more would spill 
their blood on French soil to liberate Europe. D-Day ushered in a 
series of battles over the next three months until the liberation of 
Paris in late August 1944.
  In a very real sense, the fate of Europe hung in the balance of the 
success or failure of the D-Day operations. As a senior member of the 
Committee on Veterans Affairs, I am especially mindful of the 
tremendous sacrifice made by those men and women of the uniformed 
services who served with distinction at D-Day and throughout the course 
of World War II. Almost forty percent of U.S. service men and women 
were volunteers, with the duration of service for all troops averaging 
33 months. Nearly 300,000 Americans made the supreme sacrifice during 
World War II, including the valiant troops that took part in D-Day.
  I would take this opportunity to recognize the World War II military 
service of current members of the United States Senate: the Senator 
from Hawaii, Mr. Inouye; the Senator from South Carolina, Mr. Hollings; 
the Senator from Alaska, Mr. Stevens; the Senator from Virginia, Mr. 
Warner; the Senator from New Jersey, Mr. Lautenberg; and the Senator 
from Hawaii, Mr. Akaka.
  As Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, 
I had the privilege to lead a delegation of colleagues to the Normandy 
American Cemetery in July 2001, where we participated in ceremonies 
honoring Americans killed in D-Day operations. Maintained by the 
American Battle Monuments Commission, the cemetery is the final resting 
place for 9,386 American service men and women and honors the memory of 
the 1,557 missing. The superintendent of the cemetery noted that each 
year the sea surrenders the remains of Americans who fought and died in 
the service of freedom at home and abroad.
  The Normandy American Cemetery, Mr. President, is the resting place 
for 100 Coloradans who gave their lives on the field of battle. From 
Toffoli and Sweeney to Martinez the roster is a testament to diversity 
of those from my home state of Colorado who answered the call to defend 
freedom along the rocky coast of a distant land.
  I urge my colleagues to act quickly on this resolution which will 
commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day and honor those who so 
bravely served in that effort.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the resolution be printed in 
the Record.
  There being no objection, the joint resolution was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

[[Page S1311]]

                              S.J. Res. 27

       Whereas June 6, 2004, marks the 60th anniversary of D-Day, 
     the first day of the Allied landing at Normandy during World 
     War II by American, British, and Canadian troops;
       Whereas the D-Day landing, known as Operation Overlord, was 
     the most extensive amphibious operation ever to occur, 
     involving on the first day of the operation 5,000 naval 
     vessels, more than 11,000 sorties by Allied aircraft, and 
     153,000 soldiers, sailors, and airmen of the Allied 
     Expeditionary Force;
       Whereas the bravery and sacrifices of the Allied troops at 
     5 separate Normandy beaches and numerous paratrooper and 
     glider landing zones began what Allied Supreme Commander 
     Dwight D. Eisenhower called a ``Crusade in Europe'' to end 
     Nazi tyranny and restore freedom and human dignity to 
     millions of people;
       Whereas that great assault by sea and air marked the 
     beginning of the end of Hitler's ambition for world 
     domination;
       Whereas American troops suffered over 6,500 casualties on 
     D-Day; and
       Whereas the people of the United States should honor the 
     valor and sacrifices of their fellow countrymen, both living 
     and dead, who fought that day for liberty and the cause of 
     freedom in Europe: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That 
     Congress--
       (1) recognizes the 60th anniversary of the Allied landing 
     at Normandy during World War II; and
       (2) requests the President to issue a proclamation calling 
     on the people of the United States to observe the anniversary 
     with appropriate ceremonies and programs to honor the 
     sacrifices of their fellow countrymen to liberate Europe.

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