[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 93 (Wednesday, June 6, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN RECOGNITION OF THE 74TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE D-DAY INVASION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GEORGE HOLDING

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 6, 2018

  Mr. HOLDING. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 74th anniversary of the D-
Day invasion. Today in 1944, more than 160,000 allied troops crossed 
the English Channel and landed on the heavily-fortified French 
coastline of Normandy. This was the largest amphibious military 
operation in history, and establishing a foothold in Continental Europe 
was critical to the ultimate defeat of Nazi Germany. The bravery and 
heroism displayed by American soldiers will forever be remembered.
  There is an annual D-Day ceremony in Normandy, and this year 137 
members of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte ``Pride of 
Niner Nation'' Marching Band will participate in the event. The 
University originally began as an education center for World War II 
veterans, and this is a terrific opportunity for the students to 
connect with the University's roots.
  Nine of these members of the ``Pride of Niner Nation'' Marching Band 
are from North Carolina's Second Congressional District. Those students 
include Jeffrey Bubar, Michelle Dunbar, Hope Dunn, Kerriona Jones, 
Kelsey Lane, Victoria Mitchell, Abraham Ogden, Jonathan Shough, and 
Hailey Waynor.
  Mr. Speaker, these students represent the best of our state and our 
nation, and it is an honor to represent them in Congress. Not only are 
these students part of the first university band from North Carolina 
that will represent the United States at this ceremony, they are the 
only college marching band from the United States that were selected to 
perform in today's ceremony.
  Mr. Speaker, we will always owe a debt of gratitude to the brave men 
and women in uniform, and today's anniversary is a solemn reminder of 
the sacrifices that they have made to keep our nation secure. I thank 
the students of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte ``Pride 
of Niner Nation'' Marching Band for their dedication to honoring our 
nation and our veterans.

                          ____________________