[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 20, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E45-E46]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           H. CON. RES. 226, SUPPORTING THE ``SPIRIT OF '45''

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 20, 2010

  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of a resolution that I 
have introduced: H. Con. Res. 226 which supports the Spirit of '45, a 
yearlong national campaign to raise public awareness of the 65th 
anniversary of the end of World War II, and the Spirit of '45 Day, to 
be observed each year on the second Sunday in August.
  1945 was a defining year in the last century. Even after victory in 
Europe in World War II, our nation still faced many hard fought battles 
in the Pacific and the decision to use the atomic bomb. In August of 
that year, Japan surrendered, the war was over, and America joined the 
world to begin the work of peace. The United States started with the 
job of rebuilding allies and former enemies alike, leading the effort 
to form the United Nations, and helping millions of returning veterans 
begin their civilian lives with the G.I. Bill.
  To raise awareness about this 65th anniversary, the Spirit of '45 is 
encouraging communities to hold commemorative events on the Spirit of 
'45 Day, the second Sunday in August, to honor the legacy of the World 
War II generation whose members are rapidly passing into history. 
Everyone is asked to collect first-hand memories of those who 
experienced August 14, 1945, memories that will be preserved on a Web 
site and shared with schools,

[[Page E46]]

libraries, museums, memorials and the public as a permanent reminder of 
a time when people came together to face common challenges as a united 
country. Many of the memories can also be forwarded to the Veterans 
History Project of the Library of Congress.
  The 2010 Spirit of '45 activities will officially kick off at a 
reunion of World War II veterans on the USS Midway in San Diego, on 
Monday January 18, 2010. Invited to participate are World War II 
legends Ernest Borgnine, Tony Curtis, Kirk Douglas, and Hugh O'Brien. 
Also invited is Edith Shain, the nurse who was photographed being 
kissed by a joyous sailor in Times Square on August 14, 1945. A 
presentation will be made to the family of Bob Hope in honor of his 
legacy of support of our men and women in uniform.
  The next major event of the Spirit of '45 will be right here in 
Washington, D.C. when hundreds of people will gather at the National 
World War II Memorial and lead the Memorial Day Parade down 
Constitution Avenue. Moving toward the weekend of August 14-15, public 
events are to be held across the country to commemorate the 65th 
anniversary of the end of World War II, including a major event already 
being planned in New York City's Times Square. Later events are being 
discussed for October, the 65th anniversary of the founding of the 
United Nations, and on Veterans Day in November.
  The events will focus on how to assure that our ``latest generation'' 
of veterans receives the kind of welcome home as did their forefathers 
of the World War II generation, through education and training under 
the newly-passed ``Post 9/11 G.I. Bill,'' employment opportunities, and 
many other ways of helping in their efforts to reconnect with their 
communities. I urge my colleagues to join in support of these 
remembrances of the ending of World War II by co-sponsoring H. Con. 
Res. 226.

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