[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 94 (Wednesday, July 13, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H5764-H5766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
.
COMMEMORATING 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF CONCLUSION OF WAR IN THE PACIFIC AND
HONORING VETERANS OF BOTH PACIFIC AND ATLANTIC THEATERS OF SECOND WORLD
WAR
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 191) commemorating the 60th
anniversary of the conclusion of the War in the Pacific and honoring
veterans of both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters of the Second World
War, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 191
Whereas on December 7, 1941, a date which will live in
infamy, the United States was suddenly and deliberately
attacked at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii, resulting in the loss
of over 2,400 American lives, the greatest such loss of life
in a single attack before September 11, 2001;
Whereas the United States joined with allies from 32
countries to fight the common foe of fascist militarism in a
war in which over 16,000,000 Americans served in the
military;
Whereas the United States suffered over 670,000 casualties,
with more than 400,000 deaths, while over 105,000 Americans
were held as prisoners of war, many of whom were forced to
participate in the infamous Bataan Death March or were forced
to work on the construction of the Siam-Burma Railway;
Whereas two former Presidents, John F. Kennedy and George
H. W. Bush, served with particular distinction and valor in
the Pacific theater during the Second World War;
Whereas the sea battles of the Coral Sea, Midway, Leyte
Gulf-the greatest naval battle in history-and Lingayen Gulf
turned the tide of the war in the Pacific and led to ultimate
victory;
Whereas the Sullivan family of Waterloo, Iowa, who lost
five sons in a single morning when the USS Juneau was sunk in
the Battle of Guadacanal, came to symbolize for the United
States the grief felt by American families over the loss of
loved ones during the Second World War;
Whereas on May 14, 1943, the Australian hospital ship
Centaur, in transit to New Guinea to pick up the wounded, was
sunk fifty miles East-Northeast of Brisbane, Australia,
resulting in 268 dead, representing the highest number of
casualties of any merchant vessel sunk by a submarine in the
Pacific theater;
Whereas General Douglas MacArthur fulfilled his promise of
``I shall return'' to the Philippine people by leading the
successful campaign for the liberation of the Philippines,
part of a wider campaign which freed much of Asia from
militarist occupation;
Whereas more than 20,000 Japanese and 7,000 Americans died
in the battle of Iwo Jima, which raged on the small island of
Iwo Jima for over one month between February and March 1945,
the fierceness of which was captured in the historic photo of
five Marines and one Navy corpsman raising the American flag
on Mount Suribachi;
Whereas the Battle of Okinawa, waged between April and June
1945, was the largest sea-land-air battle in history, with
more than 38,000 Americans wounded and 12,000 killed or
missing, more than 107,000 Japanese and Okinawan conscripts
killed, and perhaps 100,000 Okinawan civilians who perished
in the Battle;
Whereas millions of people died in Hawaii, Guam, the Coral
Sea, Midway, the Marshall Islands, the Solomon Islands, Wake
Island, Guadacanal, Nanjing, Harbin, Beijing, Shanghai,
Chongqing, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaya, Indonesia, Burma,
Bataan, Corregidor, Manila, Luzon, Leyte Gulf, Lingayen Gulf,
New Guinea, Korea, Saipan, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Tokyo,
Hiroshima, and Nagasaki;
Whereas the Second World War led to dramatic social changes
in the United States as more than 19,500,000 women joined the
American workforce at defense plants and 350,000 women joined
the Armed Forces;
Whereas the roles of minorities in both the Armed Forces
and industry were changed forever as greater opportunities
for employment and service in the defense of the United
States presented themselves;
Whereas Japanese-Americans, including Senator Daniel
Inouye, served with courage and valor in the 442nd Regimental
Combat Team, the most decorated regiment in United States
military history;
Whereas the people of the United States and Japan worked
together after the Second World War to reconstruct Japan and
to ensure the post-War emergence of Japan as a beacon of
democracy and economic liberalization in the Asia-Pacific
region, and the United States and Japan further solidified
the post-War security relationship by signing the Security
Treaty of 1951 and the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and
Security in 1960;
Whereas the sacrifices in the Pacific of United States
veterans and veterans of United States allies during the
Second World War led to the emergence of an Asian region
where democratic institutions and free market economies have
taken hold, contributing greatly to the peace and prosperity
of the region; and
Whereas on May 29, 2004, the United States gratefully
dedicated the World War II Memorial, honoring both the
Pacific and Atlantic theaters, on the National Mall in
Washington, D.C., with decorated World War II hero Senator
Robert Dole giving the dedication speech: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress--
(1) honors all veterans, living and deceased, of the Second
World War in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters on the
60th anniversary year of the War's conclusion and expresses
the deep appreciation and gratitude of the United States for
their valor and selfless service to their country;
(2) calls upon the people of the United States to
commemorate the 60th anniversary of the final surrender of
the Second World War aboard the USS Missouri as a day of
remembrance and appreciation for the members of the greatest
generation who, through their sacrifices both in the Armed
Forces and on the homefront, preserved liberty for future
generations and rescued the world from the scourge of fascist
militarism;
(3) reaffirms the judgment in Tokyo rendered by the
International Military Tribunal for the Far East of 1946-1948
and the conviction of certain individuals as war criminals
for their crimes against humanity; and
(4) recognizes that the alliances formed in the Asia-
Pacific region following the Second World War, including
those with Australia, Japan, the Philippines, the Republic of
Korea, and Thailand, have contributed immeasurably to the
continued peace and prosperity enjoyed throughout the region.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde).
General Leave
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 191.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, this is the 60th anniversary of the final victory in one
of the
[[Page H5765]]
greatest campaigns for the preservation of freedom in the history of
the world. The heroic struggle of America's Greatest Generation and the
peoples of the allied countries to defeat the scourge of Fascist
militarism and liberate millions from its iron fist was the most
monumental endeavor of the entire 20th century.
{time} 1215
World leaders quite properly gathered in Moscow on May 9 to
commemorate V-E Day, the 60th anniversary of the victory in Europe. We
certainly join in honoring our heroic veterans of the D-Day landing and
those of the entire Atlantic theater for their valiant efforts to
liberate the people of Continental Europe, especially those trapped in
death camps from Nazi tyranny.
We should well remember, however, that for the American people, the
Second World War neither began nor ended in Europe. For our Nation, the
war began on a quiet Sunday morning in Hawaii, when the U.S. was
suddenly and deliberately attacked at Pearl Harbor. Over 2,400 lives
were lost, including those buried in the sunken hull of the battleship
USS Arizona. These dead represent the greatest number of American
casualties in any such attack prior to September 11, 2001, another date
which will live in infamy.
The war for America did not end on May 19 with the defeat of the axis
powers in Europe. The battle for Okinawa, the largest sea-land air
battle in history was largely fought after the surrender in Europe. It
was not until General Douglas McArthur crossed the deck of the
battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay to accept the final surrender of Japan
on September 2, 1945, that America and the world were finally at peace.
V-E Day had been the beginning of the end, but V-J Day was the final
victory. I stand in strong support, therefore, for this concurrent
resolution, which gives equal recognition to veterans of both the
Pacific and Atlantic theatres as inscribed in the World War II Memorial
which was dedicated last year on our National Mall.
This resolution calls upon generations of Americans who followed
those who fought and died in this historic conflict to pause and give
remembrance to the sacrifices of the greatest generation as the 60th
anniversary of V-J Day approaches. The events of that war are slowly
fading, and a distant memory, rekindled only in our national
consciousness by readings in history textbooks or by clips from old war
films, therefore we must assure, through commemorations like the one
contained in this resolution that the sacrifices of the World War II
generation are never diminished or never forgotten.
We here today should dedicate ourselves to preserving these memories,
even as we stand once again to thank our World War II veterans for
their sacrifice and their valor. As Americans reflect on the decades of
unparalleled stability and prosperity following the aftermath of the
Second World War, they may recall the words of the great British
Scientist, Sir Isaac Newton who said, ``If I have been able to see
further, it was only because I stood on the shoulders of giants.''
The blessings we enjoy today come from standing on the shoulders of
those giants who fought, bled and died 6 decades ago so we might be
free. And so to all those who fought, we owe an enormous debt of
gratitude. Their legacy today is a peaceful and increasingly prosperous
Asian Pacific region, where democratic institutions have taken root and
market economies have flourished.
Their gift to us is an America which still stands as a beacon of
liberty to the people of Asia who remember well the horrors inflicted
by the coming of the Second World War.
With pride and boundless gratitude do we acknowledge the unpayable
debt we all owe to veterans, who together with our allies and those on
the home front, won the final victory which we commemorate today.
Mr. Speaker I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume,
and rise in strong support of this concurrent resolution.
Mr. Speaker, in the context of this commemoration of what happened on
the watery battlefields of the Pacific 60 years ago, I want to draw
special attention to the actions of one of our most esteemed colleagues
in this body, an esteem that is bound to grow once people know and
understand the extent of his contributions to the allies' success in
this crucial part of World War II.
Our distinguished colleague and my dear friend, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Hyde), now the respected chairman of the House
International Relations Committee, back then was a young Naval officer
facing the most important battle of his life.
On January 9, 1945, he piloted a landing craft into the Lingayen Gulf
as part of a massive landing force hoping to establish a beachhead on
the Philippine island of Luzon. His mission was to help liberate the
people of the Philippines from Japanese control.
The liberation of the Philippines and the eventual victory of allied
forces in the War in the Pacific now seems to have been predetermined.
Yet it was anything but decided during this important moment in global
history.
Fortunately, Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde)
survived the battle of Lingayan Gulf. For his exemplary service to his
Nation, he was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the World
War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, and the Philippines
Liberation Medal.
Mr. Speaker, it is evident to those of us who have had the privilege
of working alongside him in the intervening years, that the gentleman
from Illinois (Mr. Hyde's) tenacity in battle extends to other forms of
conflict.
But it is also clear that he is committed to bipartisan cooperation
in the national interest whenever possible. He has remained loyal to
the values that propelled him into public service.
Mr. Speaker, I have the greatest respect and admiration for the
sacrifices of American soldiers, many of whom gave their lives in this
epic battle against the forces of fascism and Japanese militarism. I
owe my very life to the American military and to the troops of other
allied countries which liberated Europe at enormous costs.
There are millions of citizens in the Asia-Pacific region, from the
Philippines to Korea, who also owe their freedom to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the thousands of other brave Americans.
In many ways, Mr. Speaker, the victory over Japan was more of a
beginning than an end. In the aftermath of World War II, the United
States developed strong alliances across the Asia-Pacific region, which
have only strengthened for the past 5 decades. The United States and
Japan have developed a robust multifaceted relationship based on shared
democratic values and mutual interests in Asian and global stability
and development.
The strength of our relationship with Japan today and the relative
peace of the Asia-Pacific region for over 50 years demonstrate the
value of the sacrifices made by the brave American soldiers in the
Pacific theater.
With the passage of our resolution, we commemorate these enormous
contributions to peace, and we commit ourselves to remembering for all
time those who made the ultimate sacrifice for this Nation.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from California has been incredibly
generous in his remarks, and I would like to comment on his history for
the edification of our colleagues.
Hitler's forces occupied Hungary on March 19, 1944. Along with the
Nazi invaders came the notorious Adolf Eichmann, with orders to
exterminate the Jewish population of Hungary. A 16-year-old boy viewing
these somber events decided he had to take a stand. He joined the
Hungarian underground, a loose-knit group which was made up of small
clusters of individuals.
Sent to a work camp to perform forced labor to maintain a railway
bridge, this boy was the sole survivor of an allied bombing raid. ``I
was convinced I would not survive,'' the boy recalled. But fate had
greater things in store for this young hero. Escaping from the camp,
the young man made his way to Budapest where he joined Swedish diplomat
Raoul Wallenberg in his rescue operation to save much of the Jewish
community of Hungary.
[[Page H5766]]
The young man ran operations for the underground carrying food and
medicine through Nazi lines to Jews hiding throughout the city. After
the war, the young man was reunited with his childhood friend, who was
to become his wife, Annette. Together they immigrated to America to
start a new life.
Fortunately for all of us on the International Relations Committee
and in Congress and in America, that brave lad from Budapest is here
with us today. After a distinguished academic career in California, the
same determination which kept him alive at the bombed out railway
bridge has now brought him to Congress, where he serves as the ranking
Democratic member of the International Relations Committee.
For his courage in war, for his service in peace, especially here in
Congress, I would like to express sincere and profound appreciation to
my friend and colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos.)
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, before yielding to my friend, the
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo), I just want to express my most
profound gratitude to my friend, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Hyde), the distinguished chairman of our committee.
Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 3 minutes to the distinguished
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo).
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank my good friend, the
gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for yielding me the time and
giving me the opportunity to speak on the floor today on this issue.
December 7, 1941 would come to mark a historical pivot point for both
America and the world. Two days later, the Chamorros people of Guam
would also begin a dark and somber time. Over the next 31 months,
residents were turned into refugees. Men, women, and children were
massacred, an entire island enslaved.
An estimated 700 Chamorro people perished over these years of
occupation. On July 21, 1944, American troops once again touched the
shores of Guam, ending the oppressive occupation.
{time} 1230
Liberation meant a restoration of faith and future to the Chamorros
as they sought to reconstruct their island and their lives. The scars
of battle still resonate, yet the lingering message of history will
never fade 61 years later.
I stand to honor those who fought to liberate our people and to honor
the resiliency displayed by the Chamorro people in such formidable
times. Just yesterday we went to Arlington to lay a wreath to honor
those who perished. And tonight in the Cannon Caucus Room we invite the
entire membership of the U.S. Congress and their staff and friends to
come and join us in a liberation celebration beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simmons). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res.
191.
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. LANTOS. 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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