[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 110 (Monday, July 26, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H6013-H6014]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING SPIRIT OF '45 DAY
Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 226) supporting the observance
of ``Spirit of '45 Day''.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:
H. Con. Res. 226
Whereas on August 14, 1945, the people of the United States
received word of the end of World War II;
Whereas on that day, people in the United States and around
the world greeted the news of the Allies' noble victory with
joyous celebration, humility, and spiritual reflection;
Whereas the victory marked the culmination of an
unprecedented national effort that defeated the forces of
aggression, brought freedom to subjugated nations, and ended
the horrors of the Holocaust;
Whereas these historic accomplishments were achieved
through the collective service and personal sacrifice of the
people of the United States, both those who served in uniform
and those who supported them on the home front;
Whereas more than 400,000 Americans gave their lives in
service to their country during World War II;
Whereas, August 14, 1945, marked not only the end of the
war, but also the beginning of an unprecedented era of
rebuilding in which the United States led the effort to
restore the shattered nations of the Allies and their enemies
alike and to create institutions to work towards a more
peaceful global community;
Whereas the men and women of the World War II generation
created an array of organizations and institutions during the
postwar era which helped to strengthen American democracy by
promoting civic engagement, volunteerism, and service to
community and country;
Whereas the courage, dedication, self-sacrifice, and
compassion of the World War II generation have inspired
subsequent generations in the United States Armed Forces,
including the men and women currently in service in Iraq,
Afghanistan, and around the world;
Whereas the entire World War II generation, military and
civilian alike, has provided a model of unity and community
that serves as a source of inspiration for current and future
generations of Americans to come together to work for the
continued betterment of the United States and the world; and
Whereas the second Sunday in August has been proposed as
``Spirit of '45 Day'' to commemorate the anniversary of the
end of World War II on August 14, 1945: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress supports the observance of
``Spirit of '45 Day''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) and the gentleman from Alabama
(Mr. Bonner) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia.
General Leave
Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
There was no objection.
Ms. NORTON. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, I present House Concurrent Resolution 226 for consideration,
supporting the observance of Spirit of '45 Day to commemorate the
anniversary of the end of World War II on August 14, 1945.
{time} 1620
H. Con. Res. 226 was introduced by our colleague, Representative
Filner of California, in January 2010. It was referred to the Committee
on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably
by unanimous consent in July. H. Con. Res. 226 enjoys the strong
bipartisan support of over 70 cosponsors.
Madam Speaker, communities across the country will commemorate the
65th anniversary of the end of World War II on August 14 by
establishing an annual day of remembrance in honor of the legacy of the
men and women of America's so-called ``Greatest Generation.''
August 14, 1945, is a day that changed history. It marked the end of
World War II and ushered in a new era of peace, prosperity and unity
made possible by the heroic efforts of men and women who risked their
freedom to give us ours.
The goal of this resolution is to inspire a renewed sense of
community and national unity in our country by establishing a day when
America will stop to reflect on the achievements of the men and women
who endured the Great Depression, preserved freedom and democracy in
the most devastating war in history, and then went on to rebuild their
shattered world. Their example of courage, self-sacrifice and
commitment to community can inspire a renewed sense of national unity
at a time when our country must again come together to meet common
challenges.
Spirit of '45 Day will engage young and old in a shared,
intergenerational project that will preserve forever an important part
of the Nation's history and heritage, while reinvigorating an awareness
of the importance of coming together as a community, honoring service
to others, and creating a sense of national unity at a time when our
Nation is facing major challenges once again.
Madam Speaker, this year marks the 65th anniversary of the end of
World War II. And it may be one of the last times Americans can say
thank you to our ``Greatest Generation'' for their legacy of service.
Let us now honor them and encourage others to follow their example
through the passage of H. Con. Res. 226.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 226,
supporting the observance of Spirit of '45 Day.
Madam Speaker, August 14, 2010, marks the 65th anniversary of the end
of World War II. It was on this day in 1945 that the Japanese informed
the United States that they had agreed to the terms of the surrender
agreement, and after some six horrific years, the Second World War was
over.
The Allied victory marked the culmination of an unparalleled national
effort that defeated the Axis Powers, liberated oppressed nations, and
ended the horrors of the Holocaust. The victory was achieved by the
collective service and individual sacrifice of the people of the United
States, both those who served on the front lines overseas, as well as
those who supported them here at home.
Japan's surrender came some 3 years and 8 months after the bombings
at Pearl Harbor, and marked the beginning of an unprecedented era of
global rebuilding. The United States was the leader in this effort to
not only rebuild the war-ravaged nations of our allies, but of our
enemies as well.
Madam Speaker, during World War II, more than 400,000 Americans lost
their lives in the ultimate act of sacrifice to our great Nation. The
men and
[[Page H6014]]
women who were fortunate enough to survive and served so bravely, both
on the home front and overseas, make up a generation that many
Americans consider the ``Greatest Generation,'' a generation that has
and continues to dedicate themselves to service and sacrifice to their
communities and to our great country. This generation has promoted
civic engagement and created numerous organizations and institutions in
the post-war years that have truly made America and the world a better
place.
Today, the sacrifice, courage and dedication of those who served
during World War II still inspires those who wear the uniform and
defend our Nation each and every day. The men and women in our Armed
Forces who fight for our freedoms every day in Iraq, Afghanistan and
all over the world are the children and grandchildren of those who gave
so much in World War II. Undoubtedly, today's soldiers have been
influenced and motivated by those who served during the great World
War.
Madam Speaker, as we move further away from this historic
anniversary, and with many of this generation passing away on a daily
basis, it is so easy to forget both the sacrifices that this generation
made during the war, and what they did after the war. America's victory
catapulted our Nation to become the predominant world superpower, and
allowed the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of this
generation to grow up in a more prosperous and safe country.
Like my colleagues and all Americans, I am truly thankful for the
sacrifices endured by so many during the war and after August 14, 1945.
And on the second Sunday in August, the proposed Spirit of '45 Day, I
urge each and every American to reflect on the importance of this day
and what it means to our country.
Madam Speaker, I strongly support this resolution and urge all
Members to join me in supporting H. Con. Res. 226.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner), the author of the resolution.
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, as the chairman of the House Veterans'
Affairs Committee, I ask all my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 226,
to honor our great heroes of the Second World War.
We all know that this was the war that was carried out by the
``Greatest Generation.'' And the Spirit of '45 Memorial Day is to set
aside for us and our children and our grandchildren and their children
to think about the courage and the heroism and of course the victory of
the troops who fought on the Allied side in the Second World War.
This day of remembrance was celebrated several months ago in San
Diego on the aircraft carrier Midway, which is stationed as both a
learning environment and as a tourist attraction in the San Diego
harbor.
One of the great spirits of that day was the nurse, Edith Shain, who
was the one who was pictured on the iconic Life Magazine cover of the
sailor coming home and kissing the nurse that we all remember as
emblematic of the joyous spirit at the end of the war. Edith would go
around the country talking about our great heroes. Unfortunately,
before we could pass this bill today, she passed away at the age of 91
a few weeks ago.
So in her spirit, and in the spirit of all of those incredible people
of the ``Greatest Generation,'' we offer this resolution so our country
can always remember their bravery and courage.
I rise in support of this resolution: H. Con. Res. 226 which supports
the Spirit of '45, a year-long national campaign to raise public
awareness of the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II and the
Spirit of '45 Day.
1945 was a defining year in the last century. Even after victory in
Europe, our nation still faced many hard-fought battles in the Pacific
and the decision to drop 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.
This resolution calls on Congress to support the observance of the
``Spirit of '45 Day.'' A national day of observance is planned for the
second Sunday in August to ensure that future generations remember the
inspiring courage, sacrifice, and service of what has been called the
``greatest generation.''
To raise awareness about this 65th anniversary, the Spirit of '45 has
encouraged communities across the nation to hold commemorative events
on August 14 of this year 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, 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 provided to the
Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress.
We officially kicked off this year's activities at a reunion of World
War II veterans on the USS Midway in San Diego, on January 18. We were
joined by families, students, active duty military personnel, and
veterans of WWII and other conflicts.
Also joining us at that momentous event was Edith Shaht, the nurse
who was photographed being kissed by a joyous sailor in Times Square on
August 14, 1945. This photograph became an iconic reminder of the joy
and enthusiasm felt by an entire generation who had sacrificed to bring
an end to WWII, and who would take that same energy and devotion to
rebuild in the war's aftermath.
Edith was a devoted spokesperson for the Spirit of '45, and I am sad
to say that Edith recently passed away on June 20, 2010, at the age of
91. Although Edith is not here today to join us as we pass this
resolution, I am pleased to know that by honoring the Spirit of '45 we
are honoring the devotion of Edith Shain and millions of others like
her whose dedication and actions changed the world.
The Spirit of '45 campaign focuses on how to assure that our ``latest
generation'' of veteran gets 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 ensuring they receive the care and support to
reconnect with their families and communities.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the legacy and ideals
of the Spirit of '45 by supporting this resolution.
Mr. PETRI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res.
226, to commemorate the end of World War II by observing ``Spirit of
'45 Day.'' On August 14, 1945, the people of the United States received
word of the long awaited end of the war. While there was celebration,
there also was recognition of the 400,000 Americans who gave their
lives to this effort.
This day marks the gratitude we have for our veterans, their
families, and their sacrifice. We reflect on the beginning of a new era
following the war, and the rebuilding of nations with the common goal
of developing and maintaining a more peaceful global community. We
celebrate the strengthening of American democracy, freedom and service
to community and country. We are proud of the unprecedented national
effort to defeat forces of aggression.
The achievements of the past continue to be relevant today. The World
War II generation, often referred to as the Greatest Generation, is a
model of courage and determination that serves as a source of
inspiration not only for the men and women serving in Iraq, Afghanistan
and around the world, but for civilians as well. It is important we
recognize and honor their dedication and self-sacrifice.
That is why as we approach the 65th anniversary of the end of World
War II, I proudly support the observance of the second Sunday in August
as ``Spirit of '45 Day'' to commemorate the end of World War II on
August 14, 1945.
Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers. I urge all
Members to support passage.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to join me
in supporting the observance of the Spirit of '45 Day.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res.
226.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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