[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 133 (Thursday, November 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2045]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. RAY LaHOOD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 2004

  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 110, 
legislation that commemorates the upcoming 60th anniversary of the 
Battle of the Bulge.
  As we all know, our Allied forces fought against great odds, 
outnumbered and outgunned, to hold back German forces from December, 
1944 to January, 1945. Victory over Germany was secured 4 months later.
  This year has given us many opportunities to thank the members of the 
World War II generation for all that they have achieved. The 60th 
anniversary of D-Day, the opening of the long-awaited National World 
War II Memorial on the Mall here in Washington, and the 60th 
anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge are reminders that these men and 
women fought to save the world from tyranny. The passage of time should 
not diminish their sacrifices.
  I would like to thank the Speaker of the House, my friend and 
colleague from Illinois, for sponsoring this resolution. It honors the 
600,000 U.S. troops who fought in this battle 60 years ago. One of 
those troops is another friend and former colleague, Bob Michel. The 
former Minority Leader of the House, Bob Michel was wounded by machine 
gun fire at the Battle of the Bulge, for which he earned two Bronze 
Stars and a Purple Heart. I know he has never forgotten that more than 
81,000 of his fellow American soldiers were also injured in Belgium 60 
years ago, and, through this resolution, we show these veterans that we 
do not forget, either.
  I am proud to join my colleagues as a cosponsor of H.J. Res. 110, and 
urge its swift passage.

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