[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 2, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H6036-H6038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALLIED LANDING ON D-DAY

  Mr. KRATOVIL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 259) expressing the gratitude and appreciation 
of the House of Representatives for the acts of heroism and military 
achievement by the members of the United States Armed Forces who 
participated in the June 6, 1944, amphibious landing at Normandy, 
France, and commending them for leadership and valor in an operation 
that helped bring an end to World War II, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 259

       Whereas June 6, 2009, marks the 65th anniversary of the 
     Allied assault at Normandy, France, which was known as 
     Operation Overlord;
       Whereas before Operation Overlord, the German Army still 
     occupied France and the Nazi government still had access to 
     the raw materials and industrial capacity of Western Europe;
       Whereas Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. 
     Eisenhower called Operation Overlord a ``Crusade in Europe'', 
     telling the soldiers, sailors, and airmen who would 
     participate in the operation that ``The free men of the world 
     are marching together to victory. I have full confidence in 
     your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle.'';
       Whereas the naval assault phase on Normandy was code-named 
     ``Neptune'', and the June 6th assault date is referred to a 
     D-Day to denote the day on which the combat attack was 
     initiated;
       Whereas significant aerial bombardments and operations 
     (including Operation Fortitude) by Allied forces during the 
     weeks and months leading up to, and in support of Operation 
     Overlord, played a significant role in the success of the 
     Normandy landings;
       Whereas more than 13,000 soldiers parachuted, and several 
     hundred soldiers of the glider units participating in Mission 
     Detroit and Mission Chicago landed, behind enemy lines to 
     secure landing fields in the 24 hours preceding the 
     amphibious landing;
       Whereas soldiers of six divisions (three American, two 
     British and one Canadian) stormed ashore in five main landing 
     areas on beaches in Normandy, which were code-named ``Utah'', 
     ``Omaha'', ``Gold'', ``Juno'' and ``Sword'';
       Whereas the D-Day landing was the largest single amphibious 
     assault in history, consisting of approximately 31,000 
     members of the United States Armed Forces and more than 3,000 
     vehicles, which embarked on 208 vessels from Weymouth and 
     Portland, England;
       Whereas, of the estimated 9,400 casualties incurred by 
     Allied troops on the first day of the landing, an estimated 
     5,400 casualties were members of the United States Armed 
     Forces;
       Whereas only five days after the initial landing, Allied 
     troops secured a beachhead that was 50 miles long and 12 
     miles deep and was occupied by more than 325,000 soldiers;
       Whereas on July 25, 1944, Allied Forces launched Operation 
     COBRA to break out of the beachhead and began the liberation 
     of France, which contributed to the destruction of the Nazi 
     regime on May 7, 1945; and
       Whereas members of the ``greatest generation'' assumed the 
     task of freeing the world from Nazi and Fascist regimes and 
     restoring liberty to Europe: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the 65th anniversary of the Allied 
     amphibious landing on D-Day, June 6, 1944, at Normandy, 
     France, during World War II;
       (2) expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the members 
     of the United States Armed Forces who participated in 
     Operation Overlord; and
       (3) requests the President to issue a proclamation calling 
     on the people of the United States to observe the anniversary 
     with appropriate ceremonies and programs to honor the 
     sacrifices of their fellow countrymen to liberate Europe.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Kratovil) and the gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Ms. Fallin) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland.


                             General Leave

  Mr. KRATOVIL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KRATOVIL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 259 
recognizing June 6 as the 65th anniversary of D-Day, the massive 
amphibious landing on the beaches of Normandy, France, beginning the 
initial assault of Operation Overlord, and the eventual victory for 
Allied Forces of World War II.
  I rise not only to recognize a day whose historical significance 
cannot be overstated, but to express gratitude and appreciation to the 
members of the United States Armed Forces who served in defense of 
freedom that day, and throughout the campaign.
  Before Operation Overlord, the German Army occupied France, giving 
the Nazi government unrestricted access to the raw materials and 
industrial capacity of Western Europe. Hailed as a crusade in Europe by 
Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower, this successful 
undertaking forced Germany into a two-front war, subsequently beginning 
the liberation of

[[Page H6037]]

France and contributing to the downfall of the Nazi regime.
  Approximately 31,000 members of the United States Armed Forces joined 
the Allied troops on D-day, the largest single amphibious assault in 
world history. Allied and American soldiers stormed onto five landing 
fields, secured only 24 hours prior, through airborne operations 
designed to slow the enemy's ability to launch counterattacks while 
sufficient forces gathered along the beachhead.

                              {time}  1600

  American troops suffered an estimated 5,400 of the 9,400 Allied 
casualties that day, and their immeasurable sacrifice will never be 
forgotten.
  I would like to make special note of the 29th Infantry Division, 
which drew part of its ranks from Maryland's Eastern Shore. On D-day, 
the 29th division was the only National Guard division to land on the 
beaches of Normandy. Throughout the campaign, they spent 242 days in 
combat throughout Normandy, northern France, the Rhineland, and Central 
Europe, earning four Distinguished Unit Citations in the process.
  House Resolution 259 is our small way of commending the United States 
Armed Forces for their leadership and valor in a mission that defined 
the beginning of the end of World War II. Today, I ask the Members of 
this House to join me in supporting this resolution, thereby expressing 
our appreciation and gratitude for the members of the United States 
Armed Forces involved with D-day operations. We must always remember to 
honor the sacrifices made by our fellow countrymen so that others 
around the world may continue to know the gift of freedom.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FALLIN. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud today to support House Resolution 259, which 
recognizes the valor and the military achievements of the members of 
the Armed Forces who participated in the invasion of France on June 6, 
1944, 65 years ago.
  I want to commend Representative John Boozman from Arkansas and the 
chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Ike Skelton, for 
sponsoring this legislation.
  The facts of Operation Overlord, the start of what General Eisenhower 
called the ``crusade in Europe,'' are clearly set forth in the text of 
this resolution. This was the largest amphibious operation in history, 
and in breaching German defenses, the Allied forces suffered more than 
10,000 casualties on the first day of the invasion.
  Beyond the facts of the invasion, however, is the heroism and the 
unselfish sacrifice of the men who carried out this most magnificent 
operation. One such man was Sergeant Melvin ``Hawkeye'' Myers, a 
Comanche warrior from the Boone-Apache area of my home State of 
Oklahoma. As a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, Sergeant Myers 
parachuted into Normandy in the pre-dawn hours of D-day. He fought the 
vicious battles to defend the beachhead, and he rescued a fellow 
soldier before being killed on June 14.
  Another Oklahoman who fulfilled his duty that day in June was Harry 
Furr from Oklahoma City. As the pilot of a glider, his job was to get 
his canvas and plywood aircraft safely to the ground.
  He said, ``They were clumsy, difficult to land and came down pretty 
fast,'' and many of them crashed.
  He had one chance to land with a jeep, a trailer of medical supplies 
and 15 men aboard. Furr's glider brushed the tops of the trees before 
landing in a field, smashing in the whole front of the aircraft.
  ``No one was hurt,'' Furr recalled. ``We got down safe,'' but the 
Germans were firing on the glider in the field, and they threw in 
mortars. So Furr noted, ``It was very intense until we got out of that 
field.''
  On the beach, Thomas Valence, a member of the 116th Infantry in the 
first assault wave, left his landing craft and floundered in knee-deep 
water. He was almost shot twice through his left hand.
  In an article he wrote, he said, ``I made my way forward as best I 
could. My rifle jammed, so I picked up a carbine and got off a couple 
of rounds. I was hit again--once in the left thigh, which broke my hip, 
and a couple of times in my pack, and then the chin strap of my helmet 
was severed by a bullet.''
  He said, ``I worked my way up onto the beach and staggered up against 
a wall and collapsed there. The bodies of the other guys washed ashore, 
and I was the one live body amongst many of my friends who were dead.''
  Because of the heroism and perseverance of such men as Myers, Furr 
and Valence, the door to Hitler's fortress in Europe was cracked open. 
So it is entirely fitting that today, 65 years after that historic day, 
we take time to honor and to commemorate the events of June 6, 1944.
  On that day, which is going to be later this week, I want to urge all 
of my colleagues to reflect upon the extraordinary service that was 
rendered by the veterans of World War II. Moreover, I would like to 
also urge my colleagues, as they see both previous and current members 
of the Armed Forces whom they encounter, to take time individually to 
thank them for their service to our great Nation.
  I heartily recommend that all of my colleagues vote ``yes'' on this 
resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KRATOVIL. Madam Speaker, at this time, I have no further requests 
for time. I am prepared to close after my colleague has yielded back 
her time.
  I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FALLIN. Madam Speaker, I have another speaker. I would like to 
yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arkansas 
(Mr. Boozman).
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, on April 27, 2009, Chairman Skelton and I 
introduced H. Res. 259 to recognize the members of the United States 
Armed Forces who participated in the amphibious D-day invasion in 
Normandy, France and to express the gratitude and appreciation of the 
House of Representatives for their achievements and acts of heroism.
  Madam Speaker, 65 years ago this Saturday marks the 65th anniversary 
of the beginning of Operation Overlord, commonly referred to as D-day, 
what would be the largest single amphibious assault in the history of 
the world.
  On June 6, 1944, the supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary 
Force, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, said in his official message to 
the soldiers, sailors and airmen, ``You are about to embark upon the 
Great Crusade, toward which we have striven many months. The eyes of 
the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people 
everywhere march with you. In company with our brave allies and 
brothers-in-arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction 
of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the 
oppressed peoples of Europe and security for ourselves in a free 
world.''
  General Eisenhower then went on to express his confidence in their 
``courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle,'' reminding our young 
men that the United States would accept nothing less than full victory.
  So these brave and selfless young men, in the face of incredible 
danger and challenges, assaulted the Atlantic Wall--a series of 
military fortifications along Normandy's coast that consisted of 
minefields, bunkers and artillery emplacements. They courageously 
bombarded these fortifications, parachuted and glided behind enemy 
lines and stormed the beaches, code named ``Utah,'' ``Omaha,'' 
``Juno,'' and ``Sword,'' to break the grip of the Nazi and fascist 
regimes and to restore the hope of freedom to Europe and to the entire 
world.
  These were young men like combat medic and surgical technician Warren 
D. Blaylock of Alma, Arkansas, who served in the 67th Evacuation 
Hospital, which arrived at Utah beach shortly following the initial 
invasion forces. One of Warren's responsibilities was to seek out 
suitable places to treat and to care for the wounded--tents, schools, 
buildings or any other suitable cover that could be found to protect 
the wounded and other personnel from enemy fire.
  In one instance, Warren recalls a situation in which German machine 
gunfire strafed his immediate area, and he dove into a foxhole. At that 
same moment, another soldier dove into the

[[Page H6038]]

same hole, landing on top of him, angrily cursing the enemy. Warren 
looked up, and it was none other than his good friend Clovis Bryant 
from Van Buren, Arkansas, who would later become an Arkansas State 
senator. Warren would serve in five campaigns during his 2 years in 
Europe, part of that in support of Patton's 3rd Army into the Bastogne 
area until he was held behind to care for 23 wounded soldiers, all of 
whom survived thanks to his direct and excellent care. Warren D. 
Blaylock received the Bronze Star for his service.
  While he is just one of many of Arkansas' native sons who served 
during this very dangerous time, his story is a testament to their 
bravery, skill and personal sacrifice in the name of freedom. This 
resolution honors Warren and all of those who fought to bring peace to 
Europe.
  So I would ask all Members of Congress to take pause this Saturday 
and to remember the great accomplishment of these servicemembers and 
what the world might have been if not for the bravery, skill and 
selfless determination to preserve the universal human right of 
freedom.
  I encourage all of my colleagues to thank those servicemembers on the 
65th anniversary of their great endeavor for all of the sacrifices made 
by them and by their entire generation to secure victory and peace for 
the freedom-loving people of the world.
  I would also like to express my appreciation to Chairman Skelton and 
to his staff for their assistance in bringing forward this resolution, 
as well as to Mr. McHugh and to his staff so that we might bring this 
to the House floor in time to honor these servicemembers prior to the 
65th anniversary of this great feat. I strongly encourage my colleagues 
to vote ``yes'' on this resolution.
  Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 259, 
expressing gratitude and appreciation to the U.S. Forces who took part 
in World War II's D-Day invasion, which led to the end of the war in 
Europe.
  This resolution urges Americans to honor the heroic deeds and 
immeasurable sacrifices of our Allied troops on D-Day. The passing of 
the years fails to diminish the tremendous debt we owe to the Greatest 
Generation for liberating Europe and fighting to preserve freedom.
  Almost sixty-five years ago, on June 6, 1944, American and Allied 
Forces invaded Normandy, France, in Operation Overlord. Thus began the 
arduous task of liberating Europe from the yoke of Nazi tyranny. At the 
time, few people understood the full impact this invasion would have. 
But with the success of the D-Day invasion, the tide of the war swung 
in favor of the Allies, and Adolf Hitler began his ultimate demise.
  The sheer scale of Operation Overlord is astounding and even today 
remains the largest single amphibious assault in history. The first day 
of the operation involved 5,000 naval vessels, more than 11,000 sorties 
by Allied aircraft, and 153,000 members of the Allied Expeditionary 
Force, composed of American, British, and Canadian forces.
  But it is important to remember that Allied victory against the 
entrenched Nazi forces was hardly a foregone conclusion. Our courageous 
troops who participated in the invasion understood the enormous risks--
and more than 6,500 lost their lives in the effort--but their 
dedication to duty and love of freedom gave them the strength to take 
on the seemingly impossible task before them. Their sacrifices made it 
possible to restore true freedom to millions of people across the 
European continent.
  I was a young teenager during World War II, and my friends and 
neighbors in uniform were my heroes. The achievements of our D-Day 
veterans and all those who fought in World War II continue to inspire 
me today. But our nation has been blessed with generation after 
generation of patriotic Americans who have selflessly served our 
country.
  As we honor the heroes of D-Day, our thoughts, prayers, and gratitude 
go also to today's volunteers who wear our nation's uniform. Today's 
soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines inherit a proud legacy from 
those who stormed the beaches of Normandy: a legacy of commitment to 
duty, dedication to freedom, and love of country. As we recognize the 
65th Anniversary of D-Day, our nation has an obligation to remember all 
of these heroes.
  Ms. FALLIN. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KRATOVIL. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Richardson). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Kratovil) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 259, as 
amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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