[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 135 (Saturday, November 20, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S11835]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A resolution (S. Res. 481) expressing the gratitude and appreciation of 
 the Senate for the acts of heroism and military achievement of Major 
 Richard D. Winters (Ret.) during World War II, and commending him for 
        leadership and valor in leading the men of Easy Company.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that 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 
be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 481) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 481

       Whereas historians have written that World War II began on 
     September 1, 1939, when Nazi Germany, without a declaration 
     of war, invaded Poland; and following Poland's surrender, the 
     Nazis quickly moved to invade and occupy Denmark, Norway, 
     Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Belgium;
       Whereas following the Japanese sneak attack on the United 
     States at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941, the 
     United States declared war on Japan and entered the conflict 
     on the side of freedom and democracy;
       Whereas when the fate of the free world was in jeopardy as 
     a direct result of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime's desire 
     for world conquest, the ``greatest generation ever'' took up 
     the task of ridding the world of Nazi and Fascist regimes;
       Whereas in 1944 the military forces of the United States, 
     the United Kingdom, and Canada landed at 5 beaches (Utah 
     Beach, Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach, and Sword Beach) 
     in Normandy, France with the goal of liberating Europe from 
     the Nazi forces;
       Whereas according to military historians, in preparation 
     for the amphibious invasion at Normandy, Allied planes 
     pounded the Nazi defenders and dropped thousands of 
     paratroopers behind German lines the night before the 
     seaborne landings;
       Whereas Major Richard D. Winters (Ret.), a native of 
     Lancaster, Pennsylvania and a graduate of Franklin & Marshall 
     College, served the United States honorably and with great 
     distinction as 1st Lieutenant, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 
     506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division;
       Whereas landing at the town of Ste. Mere-Eglise on June 6, 
     1944, Lieutenant Winters took command of ``Easy Company'' 
     following the death of the company commander in the airborne 
     drop, and received orders to destroy a four-gun battery of 
     German 105mm howitzers at a French farmhouse named ``Brecourt 
     Manor'', 3 kilometers from Ste. Marie-du-Mont;
       Whereas Lieutenant Winters, with only 12 men, proceeded to 
     assault this enemy battery which was directing heavy fire 
     against the 4th Infantry Division as they landed on Utah 
     Beach;
       Whereas against great odds, and through extraordinary 
     bravery, Lieutenant Winters and his men were able to overcome 
     a platoon of 50 elite German soldiers guarding the battery;
       Whereas Lieutenant Winters personally led the attack and 
     repeatedly exposed himself directly to enemy fire while 
     performing his military duties;
       Whereas this gallant action by Lieutenant Winters and his 
     men, 4 of whom gave their lives, and 2 of whom were wounded, 
     saved countless lives among the soldiers of the 4th Infantry 
     Division; and
       Whereas Lieutenant Richard D. Winters received the 
     Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of his outstanding 
     military service and achievement during the Normandy 
     campaign: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) salutes the accomplishments of Lieutenant Richard D. 
     Winters and the men of ``Easy Company'' for their actions to 
     ensure control over Utah Beach at Normandy;
       (2) commends the heroism and bravery shown by Lieutenant 
     Richard D. Winters in the face of death and severe hardship 
     to accomplish his mission and save the lives of Allied Forces 
     landing at Utah Beach;
       (3) acknowledges the historical achievements of Lieutenant 
     Richard D. Winters and the men of ``Easy Company'' in 
     assuring the success of the Allied Normandy campaign, begun 
     on June 6, 1944; and
       (4) expresses its gratitude for the selfless service of 
     Lieutenant Richard D. Winters, the men of ``Easy Company,'' 
     and all veterans who served in World War II in restoring 
     freedom to the world and for defeating the elements of evil 
     and oppression.

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