[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 4, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E871]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF VICTORY IN EUROPE (V-E) DAY DURING 
                              WORLD WAR II

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                               speech of

                          HON. JERROLD NADLER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 3, 2005

  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, sixty years ago the guns and bombs in 
Europe fell silent, and President Truman announced victory over Europe 
to a proud and free world.
  I rise today to commemorate the 60th anniversary of this great and 
very important day, and to recognize the sacrifices and accomplishments 
of the men and women who so bravely served to defeat hate and 
aggression.
  I join millions of people participating in thousands of events, in 
New York City, all across the United States, and around the world, in 
observing and honoring the courage of American service-members, allied 
soldiers, and homefront workers.
  During April 1945, allied forces led by the United States overran 
Nazi Germany from the west while Russian forces advanced from the east. 
On April 25, American and Russian troops met at the Elbe River. After 6 
years of war, suffering, and devastation, Nazi Germany was formally 
defeated a few days later on May 8, 1945.
  It was a bittersweet victory. Over 400,000 American soldiers died in 
World War II; 350,000 British soldiers gave their lives; and a 
staggering 20 million Russian soldiers and civilians perished in the 
war fighting German aggression on their home soil. The war also brought 
about the most horrendous systematic murder which humanity has ever 
known, the Holocaust.
  In memory of all the victims of World War II, it is our duty to raise 
our voices as one and say to the present and future generations that no 
one has the right to remain indifferent to anti-Semitism, xenophobia 
and racial or religious intolerance.
  This is an occasion to remember and commemorate. We must remember why 
the war was fought, remember the victims and heroes, and thank those 
who fought so hard and sacrificed so much.
  V-E Day marked the promise of a peaceful future for a Europe ravaged 
by unspeakable horror and war. Although freedom did not come to every 
European nation following the defeat of Nazi Germany, today we stand at 
the threshold of a very hopeful future based on sovereignty, democracy, 
freedom and cooperation.
  Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to honor those individuals who 
gave their lives during the liberation of Europe, to thank the veterans 
of World War II, and to commemorate the defeat of Nazism and Fascism by 
freedom-loving people.

HONORING DR. PORTIA HOLMES SHIELDS

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