[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 131 (Tuesday, November 16, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H9695-H9698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE DURING 
                              WORLD WAR II

  Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 110) recognizing the 60th 
anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge during World War II.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                             H.J. Res. 110

       Whereas the battle in the European theater of operations 
     during World War II known as the Battle of the Bulge was 
     fought from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945;
       Whereas the Battle of the Bulge was a major German 
     offensive in the Ardennes forest region of Belgium and 
     Luxembourg which took Allied forces by surprise and was 
     intended to split the Allied forces in Europe by breaking 
     through the Allied lines, crippling the Allied fuel supply 
     lines, and exacerbating tensions within the alliance;
       Whereas 600,000 American troops, joined by 55,000 British, 
     Belgian, Canadian, and other soldiers, participated in the 
     Battle of the Bulge, overcoming numerous disadvantages in the 
     early days of the battle that included fewer numbers, 
     treacherous terrain, and bitter weather conditions;
       Whereas the Battle of the Bulge resulted in 81,000 American 
     and 1,400 British casualties, of whom approximately 19,000 
     American and 200 British soldiers were killed, with the 
     remainder wounded, captured, or listed as missing in action;
       Whereas the worst atrocity involving Americans in the 
     European theater during World War II, known as the Malmedy 
     Massacre, occurred on December 17, 1944, when 86 unarmed 
     American prisoners of war were gunned down by elements of the 
     German 1st SS Panzer Division;
       Whereas American, British, Belgian, Canadian, and other 
     forces overcame great odds throughout the battle, including 
     most famously the action of the 101st Airborne Division in 
     holding back German forces at the key Belgian crossroads town 
     of Bastogne, thereby preventing German forces from achieving 
     their main objective of reaching Antwerp as well as the Meuse 
     River line;
       Whereas the success of American, British, Belgian, 
     Canadian, and other forces in defeating the German attack 
     made possible the defeat of Nazi Germany four months later in 
     April 1945;
       Whereas thousands of United States veterans of the Battle 
     of the Bulge have traveled to Belgium and Luxembourg in the 
     years since the battle to honor their fallen comrades who 
     died during the battle;
       Whereas the peoples of Belgium and Luxembourg, symbolizing 
     their friendship and gratitude toward the American soldiers 
     who fought to secure their freedom, have graciously hosted 
     countless veterans groups over the years;
       Whereas Luxembourg has erected over 90 monuments and 
     plaques commemorating the liberation of Luxembourg by United 
     States Armed Forces during World War II;
       Whereas the 60th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in 
     2004 will be marked by many commemorative events by citizens 
     of the United States, Belgium, Luxembourg, and many other 
     nations;
       Whereas the friendship between the United States and both 
     Belgium and Luxembourg is strong today in part because of the 
     Battle of the Bulge; and
       Whereas section 204 of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2002 
     (38 U.S.C. 2409 note) authorized the Secretary of the Army to 
     place in Arlington National Cemetery a memorial marker 
     honoring those who fought in the Battle of the Bulge: 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 the battle in 
     the European theater of operations during World War II known 
     as the Battle of the Bulge, which began with a German 
     surprise attack in the Ardennes forest region of Belgium and 
     Luxembourg and ended with an Allied victory that made 
     possible the defeat of Nazi Germany four months later;
       (2) honors those who gave their lives during the Battle of 
     the Bulge;

[[Page H9696]]

       (3) authorizes the President to issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to honor the 
     veterans of the Battle of the Bulge with appropriate 
     programs, ceremonies, and activities; and
       (4) reaffirms the bonds of friendship between the United 
     States and both Belgium and Luxembourg.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. King) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. King).
  Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 110. This joint 
resolution recognizes the 60th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge 
and honors those who sacrificed their lives in the European theater of 
operations during World War II. From December 16, 1944, to January 25, 
1945, 600,000 American troops and 55,000 British, Belgian, Canadian and 
other soldiers fought honorably in this battle. The defeat of Nazi 
Germany 4 months after the conflict would not have been possible 
without the success of the Allied forces during this crucial battle.
  The Battle of the Bulge was a surprise German offensive against 
Allied forces and was intended to permanently defeat the Allied forces. 
The battle began before dawn on the morning of December 16, and the 
soldiers faced treacherous conditions of subfreezing temperatures, 
snow, rough terrain, limited supplies and limited manpower, but they 
never ceased to fight valiantly against the Nazi Army.
  During this battle, Mr. Speaker, there were 81,000 U.S. casualties, 
including 19,000 Americans who were killed. Additionally, 1,400 British 
soldiers were killed.
  There were many outstanding successes during this battle. For 
instance, the 101st Airborne captured Bastogne before the Germans could 
launch a siege of the city, and this was very strategic for this 
battle.
  Mr. Speaker, it is also to be noted, though, that this legislation 
was introduced by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert), the 
Speaker of the House, who has a supreme interest in all matters 
involving World War II. In fact, this past summer, I had the privilege 
of traveling to Normandy to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day, 
and I know of the intense interest the Speaker has in honoring all the 
men and women of the Greatest Generation who sacrificed so much to 
defeat the Nazis and the Japanese during World War II.
  Also, it should be noted that the Speaker's ancestors come from 
Luxembourg, and he has a special interest in this legislation because 
the Battle of the Bulge forged distinctly close relationships between 
the Americans and the people of Belgium and Luxembourg. In fact, to 
this day, Luxembourg has numerous memorials and monuments honoring the 
great sacrifices made by the United States during World War II and 
specifically after the Battle of the Bulge.
  So this joint resolution recognizes the 60th anniversary of the 
Battle of the Bulge, authorizes the President to issue a proclamation 
calling upon American citizens to honor the veterans of the Battle of 
the Bulge with appropriate programs and ceremonies and activities.
  This joint resolution not only reaffirms the bonds of friendship 
between the citizens of the United States, Belgium and Luxembourg, but 
encourages citizens of all countries to honor those who bravely fought 
for world peace in the Battle of the Bulge.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1500

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I too want to rise in strong support of this resolution. I also 
want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. King), my friend and 
colleague on the other side of the aisle, for speaking in favor of this 
resolution. I also want to thank the Speaker, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Hastert), for introducing this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, the resolution before the House recognizes an important 
turning point in World War II, the Battle of the Bulge. With the 
outcome of the war uncertain, American forces proved that neither 
bitter winter nor enemy fire could sway the resolve in the greatest 
battle of that war.
  I am most pleased we are moving expeditiously to recognize this 
critically important battle. The roughly 4 million World War II 
veterans who remain from the original 16 million are in the twilight of 
their years and 1,200 die every day. We are rapidly losing both our 
witnesses to history and the chance for many of us to thank them.
  And so we remember that great battles are won not with rhetoric, but 
by our soldiers on the battlefield. While we commemorate those soldiers 
who left behind families and careers during World War II to fight for 
freedom, we also honor those for whom adult life was just beginning, 
the young men of the 106th Infantry, whose average age was 22 years 
old.
  The determination, intelligence, and valor that General Eisenhower 
showed as military commander at the Battle of the Bulge would later be 
called upon in his service as President of the United States. We can 
only hope that our future leaders being tested today in the deserts of 
Iraq will have the same strength in war, but also a love for peace.
  Let me just talk about a couple of statistics from the Ardennes 
Offensive. It was the coldest, snowiest weather in memory in the 
Ardennes Forest on the Belgium-German border. There were over 1 million 
men, 500,000 Germans, 600,000 Americans, more than who fought at 
Gettysburg, and 55,000 British soldiers. There were three German 
Armies, 10 corps, the equivalent of 29 divisions. The American Armies 
had three armies, six corps, the equivalent of 31 divisions. There were 
100,000 German casualties, killed, wounded, or captured, and 81,000 of 
our own American casualties, including 23,554 captured, and as the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. King) mentioned, 19,000 of our young men 
killed. There were 1,400 British casualties, including 200 killed, and 
800 tanks lost on each side, along with 1,000 German aircraft.
  I might also mention something that even I knew, and my colleague 
knows as well, and he was born 18 years after this incredible battle, 
is the story of Major General Anthony McAuliffe, whom Hitler called 
upon to surrender Bartongre Garrison, and his response has been lauded 
and made known to millions of Americans throughout history. His 
response to Hitler was ``nuts.''
  The United States and Luxembourg remain steadfast allies. As common 
members of NATO, our countries have cooperated on many issues, 
including peacekeeping during the first Gulf War and recent 
humanitarian aid for Iraq. Our friendship is historic, and more than 
5,000 American soldiers, including General George S. Patton, are buried 
at the American military cemetery near its capital.
  Although an occasional critic of the United States, Belgium is still 
a solid ally and a member of NATO. The Belgian people continue to 
exhibit good will and gratitude for the Allied Forces that freed them 
from Nazi occupation. Today, they form a wealthy, prosperous nation 
possessing some of the highest levels of education, health, and well-
being in the world today.
  When we look back on World War II, we see it was a battle against 
tyranny, against Fascism. The United States and her allies will always 
stand on the side of freedom and democracy and against totalitarian 
regimes wherever they are.
  Let this resolution and the Battle of the Bulge Memorial Marker in 
Arlington National Cemetery serve as a reminder for all those who gave 
their all, and also as a reminder that we should thank our veterans 
whenever we have the opportunity.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to include for the Record the statistics I read 
off, which were provided via the Internet by John Kline, who was at the 
Battle of the Bulge.

Battle Experience and Related Facts: Battle of the Bulge, December 16, 
                        1944 to January 25, 1945

                            (By John Kline)

       On 16 December 1944 the Germans started their Ardennes 
     Offensive. The 106th Infantry Division, in place of a salient 
     jutting out into Germany were hit with full force. After 
     three days of battle, two of the Regiments, the 422nd and the 
     423rd were surrounded. The 424th, south of the other two 
     regiments, was able to withdraw and join with the 112th 
     Regiment of the 28th Infantry Division. They

[[Page H9697]]

     formed a Regimental Combat Team and were successful in the 
     oncoming days of January 1945 in helping counter the German 
     attack driving the Germans back through the same area where 
     the 106th had been in position in mid-December 1944. This 
     German Offensive became known in the U.S. Forces journals as 
     The Battle of the Bulge.


                              battle facts

       The coldest, snowiest weather ``in memory'' in the Ardennes 
     Forest on the German/Belgium border.
       Over a million men, 500,000 Germans, 600,000 Americans 
     (more than fought at Gettysburg) and 55,000 British.
       3 German armies, 10 corps, the equivalent of 29 divisions.
       3 American armies, 6 corps, the equivalent of 31 divisions.
       The equivalent of 3 British divisions as well as 
     contingents of Belgian, Canadian and French troops.
       100,000 German casualties, killed, wounded or captured.
       81,000 American casualties, including 23,554 captured and 
     19,000 killed.
       1,400 British casualties 200 killed.
       800 tanks lost on each side, 1,000 German aircraft.
       The Malmedy Massacre, where 86 American soldiers were 
     murdered, was the worst atrocity committed against American 
     troops during the course of the war in Europe.
       My division, the 106th Infantry Division, average age of 22 
     years, suffered 564 killed in action, 1,246 wounded and 7,001 
     missing in action at the end of the offensive. Most of these 
     casualties occurred within the first three days of battle, 
     when two of the division's three regiments was forced to 
     surrender.
       In it's entirety, the ``Battle of the Bulge,'' was the 
     worst battle--in terms of losses--to the American Forces in 
     WWII.


                             short history

       On a wintry mid-December day in 1944, three powerful German 
     armies plunged into the semi-mountainous, heavily forested 
     Ardennes region of eastern Belgium and northern Luxembourg. 
     Their goal was to reach the sea, trap four allied armies, and 
     impel a negotiated peace on the Western front.
       Thinking the Ardennes was the least likely spot for a 
     German offensive, American Staff Commanders chose to keep the 
     line thin, so that the manpower might concentrate on 
     offensives north and south of the Ardennes.
       The American line was thinly held by three divisions and a 
     part of a fourth, while the fifth was making a local attack 
     and a sixth was in reserve. Division sectors were more than 
     double the width of normal, defensive fronts.
       Even though the German Offensive achieved total surprise, 
     nowhere did the American troops give ground without a fight. 
     Within three days, the determined American stand and the 
     arrival of powerful reinforcements insured that the ambitious 
     German goal was far beyond reach.
       In snow and sub-freezing temperatures the Germans fell 
     short of their interim objective--that of reaching the 
     sprawling Meuse River on the fringe of the Ardennes. All the 
     Germans accomplished was to create a Bulge in the American 
     line. In the process they expended irreplaceable men, tanks 
     and material. Four weeks later, after grim fighting, with 
     heavy losses on both the American and German sides, the Bulge 
     ceased to exist.
       Battle Action Credits: The 106th Infantry Division was 
     credited with a holding action that used much of the precious 
     time of the German Offensive. Time was an important and vital 
     ingredient in Hitler's plan to break through to the Meuse 
     River and then to go for Antwerp. The first three days of 
     battle were vital and the 106th Infantry Division slowed his 
     advance in the St. Vith area. By doing so the 106th played a 
     large role in the final defeat of the German Army. The delay 
     and extended battle used so much of the precious resources of 
     the German Army that they were never again able to recoup and 
     fight the style of war they had in earlier days. This delay 
     in time was a big key in the final downfall of the German 
     plans for their Ardennes Offensive. The loss of their 
     resources, both human and equipment accelerated their final 
     defeat and caused an early end to the long war in Europe.
       On 16 December 1944, the day the battle started, I was a 19 
     year old Sergeant, heavy machine gun squad leader (30 cal 
     water cooled) turning twenty on January 10, 1945.
       The 106th Infantry Division, my division, was spread over a 
     21 mile front. Normally a division covers five miles. We 
     received the initial thrust of the German counter-offensive. 
     I was captured on 19 December, 1944. I spent four months as a 
     Prisoner of War, walking over 525 miles, with a loss of 50 
     pounds of ``fighting'' body weight. I was only in a sheltered 
     camp for one month and one week.

  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume to thank my good friend from New York (Mr. Crowley) for his 
supporting comments and for the great work he does on behalf of our 
veterans, certainly World War II veterans.
  Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to those 
American heroes who fought so valiantly alongside our allies during the 
Battle of the Bulge in World War II. I urge the House to pass this 
resolution. In doing so, we're honoring the memory of those heroes who 
changed the course of history.
  On December 16, 1944, Nazi forces launched a counter offensive 
through the Ardennes Forest in Belgium. Surprising the Allies, the 
German Army managed to force their way deep into Belgium and break 
through Allied lines, thus creating a territorial bulge. Six hundred 
thousand Americans joined the British, Belgians, Canadians and other 
allied forces in a month long effort to stop Nazi Germany's last-ditch 
attempt to save their evil regime. Nineteen thousand Americans made the 
ultimate sacrifice during the Battle of the Bulge. Countless others 
were wounded.
  Among those who fought bravely and forever altered the course of 
history was my good friend and mentor from Illinois, our former 
Republican Leader, Bob Michel. Bob was awarded the Purple Heart after 
being injured by a merciless hail of machine gun bullets fired by enemy 
combatants from the Third Reich. Along with his Purple Heart, he 
received the Bronze Star and four battle stars for his selfless, heroic 
efforts. People like Bob Michel and his brothers-in-arms are great 
examples of why we live in a free world today. The world is better off 
because of those brave heroes who stood their ground in the Ardennes 
Forest and stopped the spread of fascism. By passing this resolution, 
we can forever remember those Americans and our allied friends for 
everything they gave.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, sixty years ago, the forces of the Third 
Reich pushed forward into the mountainous and heavily forested Ardennes 
region of Luxembourg and Belgium. Since the landing of Allied forces in 
Normandy six months before, the war had not gone well for Germany. This 
offensive represented the last desperate gasp of Germany to save itself 
from total defeat. The Nazi goal was to reach the North Sea, hamstring 
Allied armies, and force a negotiated peace on the western front. The 
offensive failed.
  Although the Nazis surprised the Allied forces, American troops gave 
no ground without a fight. Perhaps the most famous story demonstrating 
American tenacity is the story of General Anthony McAuliffe. Although 
surrounded by German forces demanding his surrender. General McAuliffe 
replied with a single word: Nuts. Despite continued German attacks, 
McAuliffe's determination and stubbornness had been demonstrated and 
the American lines were not broken.
  American and Allied bravery during the Battle of the Bulge cannot be 
doubted. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers fought during this battle 
bravely to bring peace and freedom to Europe. Over half a million 
Allied soldiers, the bulk of whom were American, took part in the 
battle. During the month and a half long battle 81,000 Americans were 
injured and 19,000 killed.
  The Battle of the Bulge sealed the fate of Germany on the western 
front. Notwithstanding our ultimate success, we faced many obstacles, 
including weather and supply problems, which could have slowed our 
victory. December 1944 was one of the most inclement winters on record. 
Snow and rain had slowed the Allied advance and hampered our ability to 
wage war.
  Fearing what would happen if the foul weather continued, General 
George Patton of the American Third Army, distributed the following 
prayer to his troops during the Battle of the Bulge:

       Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, 
     of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains 
     with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for 
     Battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon 
     Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory 
     to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our 
     enemies and establish Thy justice among men and nations.

  Although some object to praying to God for victory in battle, General 
Patton pointed out that American troops were fighting for freedom from 
evil and tyranny. They were not fighting only for themselves, but also 
for millions of people they had never met. Their cause was right and 
just.
  As the United States is currently engaged in a right and just battle, 
I cannot help but draw parallels between our brave soldiers then and 
now. Then, as now, the enemy was a tenacious foe determined to break 
our will and break our spirit. Then, as now, our troops did not give an 
inch without a fight. And then, as now our troops were battling to 
bring peace and freedom to a region that has seen so much evil, 
destruction, and heartache. Then, as now, our case was right and just.
  On the sixtieth anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, I will join 
Speaker Hastert and other Members in Luxembourg at ceremonies honoring 
all of our soldiers who fought so bravely many years ago. Although many 
of them are no longer with us, the memory of their accomplishment and 
the gratitude of millions of people will never be forgotten.

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  Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Petri). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. King) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution, H.J. Res. 110.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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