[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 122 (Thursday, July 31, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S5314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
WARSAW UPRISING 70TH ANNIVERSARY
Ms. MIKULSKI. Madam President, I wish to recognize the 70th
anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944.
I am proud to stand here today to remember the heroism of the men and
women who took part in the Warsaw Uprising. On August 1, 1944, the
Polish Home Army was ordered to mobilize against the German forces. The
Red Army had retreated to the outskirts of Warsaw and the Polish people
believed the German forces would choose to withdraw. They choose this
moment to stand up and try to liberate Warsaw before the Soviet forces
could take control of the city.
The Polish Home Army consisted of 40,000 brave soldiers, including
4,000 women. They lacked weapons and supplies but proved to be a
challenging force against the German Army. In response, Heinrich
Himmler ordered all of the people of Warsaw killed and the city razed
to the ground to stand as an example to the people of Europe.
The Polish Resistance fought bravely to liberate and protect their
capital and their nation. But the Nazis were determined to crush the
resistance. After 63 days of fighting, the German Army overcame the
courageous Polish resistance. As a result, 85 percent of the city of
Warsaw had been destroyed by the end of World War II.
The actions of the Polish people during the Warsaw Uprising serve as
an inspiration to all people fighting for their right to freedom and
dignity. To this day, their legacy stands as a testament to the Polish
character. It is for these reasons that I am honored to mark the 70th
anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising, which serves as a symbol of heroism
and the strength of the human spirit.
Mr. PRYOR. Madam President, I ask that the resolution be agreed to,
the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered
made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 513) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
(The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in the Record of
Tuesday, July 29, 2014, under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')
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