[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19558-19563]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF V-J DAY AND THE END OF WORLD WAR 
                           II IN THE PACIFIC

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 360) commemorating the 60th 
anniversary of V-J Day and the end of World War II in the Pacific.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 360

       Whereas the United States entered the Second World War in 
     December 1941, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, 
     and over the next four years Americans participated in what 
     was arguably the greatest national endeavor in the Nation's 
     history;
       Whereas the casualty toll of Americans in the Pacific 
     Theater during World War II was approximately 92,904 killed, 
     208,333 wounded, and tens of thousands missing in action and 
     prisoners of war, with civilians and military forces of the 
     Allied Powers suffering equally devastating tolls;
       Whereas Japanese military forces and the Japanese civilian 
     population also suffered staggering losses;
       Whereas on August 15, 1945, Emperor Hirohito of Japan 
     announced the unconditional surrender of Japan's military 
     forces, made formal on September 2, 1945, aboard the U.S.S. 
     Missouri in Tokyo Bay, Japan; thus ending the most 
     devastating war in human history;
       Whereas Japan is now a free and prosperous democracy, a 
     valued, durable friend based on shared values and mutual 
     interests, and a guarantor against despotism and oppression 
     in that area of the world; and
       Whereas the courage and sacrifice of the members of the 
     United States Armed Forces and of the military forces of the 
     Allied Powers who served valiantly to rescue the Pacific 
     nations from tyranny and aggression should always be 
     remembered: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the 60th anniversary of V-J Day and the end 
     of World War II in the Pacific theater;
       (2) joins with a grateful Nation in expressing respect and 
     appreciation to the members of the United States Armed Forces 
     who served in the Pacific theater during World War II; and
       (3) remembers and honors those Americans who made the 
     ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives for their country 
     during the campaigns in the Pacific theater during World War 
     II.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Chandler) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).


                             General Leave

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution 
under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I would like to begin by thanking the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Stearns), my good friend and colleague, for authoring this resolution. 
The gentleman is a Member who is considerably schooled in the Far East 
and knows well the effects which the war in the Pacific had, not only 
on Japan, but on other nations in the region.
  The gentleman from Florida is also a senior member of the House 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and I know that he has been a leader in 
ensuring that no veteran is ever left behind. He is also the author of 
the Millennium Health Care Act, which puts a special emphasis on 
providing long-term health care, especially to our World War II 
veterans. So it is very fitting, I think, that the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Stearns) is the author of this resolution, and I thank the 
gentleman for introducing it.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 360 is a resolution that recognizes the 60th 
anniversary of victory in the Pacific during World War II, V-J Day.
  Mr. Speaker, 60 years ago the guns fell silent and the world was able 
to begin the process of, paraphrasing Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg 
when he said, we will bind up our Nation's wounds when we begin the 
very difficult and arduous process of binding up the world's wounds. 
The loss of life was indeed staggering; the process of rebuilding 
seemingly insurmountable. But just as Americans had rallied in war, 
Americans rallied in peace as well.
  This resolution reiterates the simple, but very powerful, message 
that our Nation honors and deeply appreciates the men and women who 
served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, and we especially 
remember and pay tribute to those Americans who made the ultimate 
sacrifice for our country.
  Mr. Speaker, we take this opportunity to honor those individuals who 
gave their lives in the Pacific Theatre and thank all veterans of World 
War II. During the war, several million members of the United States 
Armed Forces fought in the Pacific, including the chairman of the 
International Relations Committee, our distinguished friend and 
colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde). This was one

[[Page 19559]]

of the largest military forces ever committed by the U.S. in any 
theatre of operation.
  I would also briefly pay tribute to my own late father, who saw 
horrific combat starting in New Guinea and ending in the Philippines. 
My dad was tough as nails but had a very gentle heart, and he was like 
so many of those combat veterans that I have met over the many years 
who absolutely hated war, but felt it was his duty to defend freedom 
and to defend America.
  This resolution recognizes the staggering deaths and casualties and 
the struggle by military forces and civilians of the allied powers 
during the epic struggle for the control of the Pacific. It also 
recognizes that since the war Japan has become a free and prosperous 
democracy and has become a valued partner in the process of standing 
tall against despotism and oppression.
  This is an occasion, Mr. Speaker, to remember and to commemorate. We 
must remember why the war was fought, remember the victims and the 
heroes, and thank those who fought so hard and sacrificed so much. I 
join millions of Americans participating in thousands of events all 
across the United States, many of which have already been held, and 
around the world, in observing and honoring the courage of American 
servicemembers, allied soldiers, and home front workers. This truly was 
the greatest generation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.
  Mr. CHANDLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, 
it is a privilege for me to address this resolution where the House 
will once again congratulate the Armed Forces of our great Nation for 
their service in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. And it is also a 
privilege to serve on a committee whose chairman participated in the 
struggle against fascism by helping liberate the Philippines and helped 
liberate the people of those islands from Japanese control.
  It is with a point of personal privilege to support this particular 
resolution that I stand to mention that my family, like so many other 
families, were affected. Just about every family in the United States 
of America was affected by World War II, and most by the Pacific 
Theatre in World War II.
  My grandfather had the honor to serve on the Military Affairs 
Committee of the United States Senate during World War II; and during 
that service on the Military Affairs Committee, he spent time in the 
Pacific Theatre meeting with such American heroes as General Douglas 
MacArthur and General Joseph Stillwell to discuss allied war strategy. 
He said that he was never more proud than he was of our soldiers in the 
Pacific Theatre because they gave everything that they had.
  The liberation of much of Eastern Asia and the eventual victory of 
allied forces in the war on the Pacific now seems to have been 
predetermined. Yet it was anything but decided during that important 
moment in global history.
  Mr. Speaker, I have the greatest respect and admiration for the 
sacrifices of American soldiers, many of whom gave their lives in this 
epic battle against the forces of fascism. There are millions of 
citizens in the Asia-Pacific region, from the Philippines to South 
Korea, who also owe their freedom to the brave Americans who fought our 
enemies at Midway, at Guadalcanal and many other places.
  In many ways, Mr. Speaker, the victory over Japan was more of a 
beginning than an end. In the aftermath of World War II, the United 
States developed strong alliances across the Asian-Pacific region that 
have only strengthened over the last 60 years.
  The United States and Japan have developed a robust multifaceted 
relationship based on shared democratic values and mutual interests in 
Asia and global stability and development.
  The strength of our relationship with Japan today demonstrates that 
the sacrifices made by brave American soldiers in the Pacific Theatre 
were indeed not in vain. With passage of this resolution, we once again 
commemorate these enormous contributions and commit ourselves to 
remembering for all time those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our 
Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, it is only right that we continue to help these 
veterans. I was amazed to hear reports that members of our Armed Forces 
who survived Pearl Harbor have now survived Hurricane Katrina.
  415 veterans from World War II and Korea whose Armed Forces 
retirement home in Gulfport, Mississippi, was swamped by Hurricane 
Katrina have been relocated around the country; 250 of those veterans 
have come to this very city.
  Mr. Speaker, just as we are caring for our veterans who have been 
afflicted by this horrendous crisis, I hope this House quickly turns to 
the relief of all of our people on our Nation's gulf coast.
  And I would also like to thank the U.S. servicemen and -women and all 
those citizens who are helping the citizens of Louisiana, Mississippi, 
and Alabama survive and recover from the devastation that they are 
enduring.
  I fully support the emergency appropriations that this House passed 
last week. And I and the people of Kentucky stand ready to not only 
help the veterans but also every U.S. citizen affected by this 
devastating natural disaster.
  Mr. Speaker, we are supremely proud of our heroes of the Pacific 
Theatre in World War II. And I proudly support this resolution. I urge 
all of my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the author of the resolution, my distinguished friend and 
colleague from Florida (Mr. Stearns).
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
Smith), my distinguished colleague, the former chairman of the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. And like his father, the gentleman is 
as tough as nails, also with a gentle heart. And I think most of our 
people on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs where he served with 
distinction as chairman will agree with that.
  I am very pleased this afternoon to bring my resolution to the floor 
commemorating the 60th anniversary of 
V-J Day and the end of World War II in the Pacific. I thank sincerely 
the two Chairs of the committees of jurisdiction for their 
consideration. First of all, the House Committee on International 
Relations, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), who himself fought 
for victory in Japan as mentioned by my colleague from Kentucky, and 
the chair of the Committee on Armed Services, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Hunter). Like my father, Chairman Hunter's father, 
Robert Hunter, served in World War II.
  On August 15, 1945, Emperor Hirohito of Japan, in a radio address to 
his countrymen, announced the unconditional surrender of Japan's 
military forces. So, frankly, World War II officially came to a close 
with the signing of the surrender documents on September 2, 1945, 
aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.
  Throughout the Pacific Theatre, the men and women of the United 
States Armed Forces fought bravely and suffered brutally. My own 
father, United States Navy Captain Clifford Robert Stearns, 
participated in the landing on the island of Iwo Jima. During the 
battle, a bullet passed close by his temple, striking the bulwark of 
the ship behind him. He recovered the bullet, brought it home to my 
mother and I. And while I could never name each of my constituents who 
fought, I have been honored by many such stories, just like my dad's.
  I wanted, in this World War II anniversary year, to focus attention 
once more on what we call V-J Day.
  For years, following World War II, both V-E Day, victory in Europe, 
May 8, and V-J Day were commonly printed on calendars. But that is not 
so anymore. And sometimes when I talk to veterans of the Pacific 
Theatre, they will say, you know, Cliff, we have seen movies like 
``Saving Private

[[Page 19560]]

Ryan'' and ``Band of Brothers,'' and while we take nothing away from 
the triumph of our brothers in the European theaters, we would like to 
see our story told also. And I do think this summer we see a renewed 
interest in just this. From the movie ``The Great Raid,'' to dances, a 
parade, a V-J 60th speech by the President, to fireworks last Friday 
night, September 2, on the National Mall, the veterans of the Pacific 
are getting their due.
  When exactly is V-J Day, some will ask me. Some refer to it as the 
day that the Emperor announced the surrender, which is August 15. This 
is when many of our World War II allies formally recognized August 15 
as V-J Day, namely, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia. In 
Australia, as a matter of fact, they are particularly adamant about 
naming August 15 V-J and not V-P, for victory in the Pacific, as some 
do, because the Australians in the West fought just as strongly in the 
Indian Ocean. Some Asian islands, such as China and Korea, recognize 
August 15 as Liberation Day.
  Also since the surrender announcement fell on August 14 in American 
time zones, you may see this date commemorated as V-J Day here.
  And finally, it may refer to the date of the formal surrender which 
was September 2, as I mentioned earlier, in 1945.
  I would like to take us back to August 14, 1945. When this news was 
made public over radios, America experienced a moment mixed with both 
relief and jubilation. This is the very essence of V-J Day, a 
collective sense of ease and an express ebullience of excitement. We 
had endured many years of worry, of rationing, planting victory 
gardens, buying war bonds, air raid drills and civil defense patrol, 
blackouts even on our own soil. But on V-J Day this ended. America was 
thrown open for the Nation's single largest tailgate party, and we were 
all there rooting for the same team.
  In this jubilation, there was no difference between enlisted, 
officers or civilians. Americans danced in the streets, honked horns, 
blared radios. Americans poured into village parks, busy city squares 
in the streets. Libations flowed. Everywhere the noise was deafening.
  Even before the surrender, when it appeared imminent, there was some 
interesting preparation.

                              {time}  1445

  In my State of Florida, on August 10, 1945, Governor Millard F. 
Caldwell issued a proclamation calling for Floridians to maintain the 
``solemnity and dignity of the occasion'' by avoiding ``boisterous 
conduct,'' and to facilitate this, that ``all liquor package stores, 
bars and tap rooms and places dispensing alcoholic beverages remain 
closed during that period.''
  Now, I do not imagine that he achieved his objective here. I do not 
think the decorum was what he thought it would be, but everybody was 
excited with jubilation.
  Of course, the image most recognizable to Americans and the world is 
of the Life Magazine cover of a joyous kissing sailor and nurse which 
photographer Alfred Eisenstadt froze for all time. In an interview last 
month, the nurse, now a grandmother, Edith Cullen Shain, recalled the 
pandemonium on August 14, 1945, when people grabbed anyone and hugged 
and kissed each other.
  Mr. Speaker, I close with the testament that understanding and 
alliances can arise out of former cataclysms. Today, Japan stands with 
us as a true and enduring friend, fellow economic world leader and a 
force for a stable and prosperous Asia.
  I believe it is important to bring this resolution to the floor to 
commemorate that. As the events of World War II pass further and 
further into history, the deeds of so many must not fade in our 
memories. The veterans in the Pacific theater brought peace and 
liberation to millions and millions of people. And as Americans 
rejoiced on V-J Day 1945, we will continue to salute those veterans for 
many, many more years to come.
  I am pleased that the House is bringing up my resolution 
commemorating the 60th anniversary of V-J Day and the end of World War 
II in the Pacific. I want to thank the two Chairs of the Committees of 
jurisdiction for their consideration. First, of the House Committee on 
International Relations, the gentleman from Illinois, the Honorable 
Henry Hyde, who himself fought for Victor in Japan by piloting a 
landing craft in the Lingayen Gulf. And next, the Chair of the 
Committee on Armed Services, the gentleman from California, the 
Honorable Duncan Hunter. Like mine, Chairman Hunter's father, Robert 
Hunter, served in WWII.
  On August 15, 1945, Emperor Hirohito of Japan, in a radio address to 
his countrymen, conceded defeat and announced the unconditional 
surrender of Japan's military forces. World War II officially came to a 
close with the signing of the surrender documents on September 2, 1945, 
aboard the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Thus ended this devastating 
war.
  Throughout the Pacific Theater, the men and women of the United 
States Armed Services fought bravely, and suffered brutally. My own 
father, USN Captain Clifford Robert Stearns participated in the 
landings on the island of Iwo Jima. During the battle, a bullet passed 
close by his temple striking the bulwark of the ship behind him. He 
recovered the bullet and brought it to my mother and me. And, while I 
could never in a million years name every one of my constituents and 
neighbors who fought in this theater, I have had the honor of hearing 
so many stories:
  1. Writing last Friday for the Gainesville Sun on V-J Day, Bob Gasche 
of Gainesville was a Marine who saw combat in the Pacific.
  And from my hometown of Ocala,
  2. James C. Phillips, while we were interviewing him for the Library 
of Congress' Veterans History Project, quietly described his harrowing 
experience as a Kamikaze survivor of the USS Luce;
  3. Dewey Roberson joined the Army Air Corps and went from New Guinea 
to the Philippines to Okinawa, dodging bombs every step of the way;
  4. Nolie Deas was in the 517th Army Battalion in the South Pacific 
who invaded the Philippines in June 1945;
  5. Leonard Orr served in the 509th Composite Group in the Air Force; 
and
  6. Tommy Needham served in the Naval Reserve in post-war Japan. All 
of these gentlemen, and many women, brought us to Victory in Japan.
  But I did not author this legislation to rehash the horrific, but 
brave, tales of Pacific battles; this has been done so much before. 
Instead, I wanted, in this World War II anniversary year, to focus 
attention once more, as we did 60 years ago, on what we called V-J Day.
  For years following World War II, both V-E Day (Victory in Europe, 
May 8) and V-J Day (Victory over Japan, Aug. 14), were commonly printed 
on calendars. But that's not so anymore, and I think this is a little 
sad. And sometimes, when I talk to veterans of the Pacific Theater 
they'll say, ``You know Cliff, we see movies like `Saving Private 
Ryan', and `Band of Brothers'. And while we take nothing away from the 
tremendous triumph of our brothers in the European theater, we sure 
would like our story told, too.'' And, I do think this summer we are 
seeing a renewed interest. For example, the movie ``The Great Raid'', 
about the successful rescue of over 500 Americans from a Japanese POW 
camp by the 6th Army Rangers Battalion and Filipino guerrillas was 
released. In my hometown, Ocala, Florida, the Yankee Air Force Inc. had 
a V-J Day dance on August 6 at the American Legion Post 58. More, the 
History Channel hosted and aired a commemoration on the USS Intrepid in 
New York City on V-J Day, on August 14th. Also Sunday the 14th, Moosup, 
Connecticut held a parade, believed to be the only V-J Day parade still 
held in the eastern United States. Meanwhile, the President 
commemorated the 60th Anniversary of V-J Day Naval Air Station North 
Island San Diego, California. And still, last Friday night September 2 
on the National Mall, the National Park Service put on a fireworks 
display.
  So, I think you, Pacific Theater veterans, are getting your due this 
summer and it is essential and proper that we as a grateful nation 
honor you.
  When I talked about my V-J Day resolution, I encountered questions 
about when, exactly is it? Some refer to it as the day that the Emperor 
announced the surrender: August 15th. This is when many of our World 
War II allies formally recognize August 15th as ``V-J Day'', namely the 
United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia. In Australia, as a matter 
of fact, they are particularly adamant about naming August 15th V-J, 
and not V-P for Victory in the Pacific, as some do, because the 
Australians in the West fought just as strongly in the Indian Ocean. 
Relatedly, some Asian lands, such as China and Korea, recognize August 
15 as Liberation Day.
  Also in the U.S., since the surrender announcement fell on August 
14th in American

[[Page 19561]]

time zones, you may see this date commemorated as V-J Day. Finally, it 
may refer to the date of the formal surrender, September 2, 1945.
  I would like to take us back to August 14, 1945, to the battlefront, 
and to the homefront. When this news was made public over radios, 
Americans experienced a moment mixed of both relief and jubilation. 
This is the very essence of V-J Day--a collective exhalation of ease, 
and expressive ebullience.
  We had endured years of worry, of rationing, planting Victory Gardens 
and canning, buying war bonds. Even school children bought many war 
stamps and pasted them in special books. When the books were filled, 
the students traded them in for a war bond. We had air raid drills and 
civil defense patrolled blackouts on our own soil. Civil defense 
wardens saw to it that people obeyed the rules. According to a North 
Carolina history museum, one Wilmington, North Carolina department 
store clerk was even arrested, convicted, and fined ``for smoking a 
lighted cigarette upon the streets after having been warned by a person 
in authority to extinguish it.'' We studied printed plane silhouettes 
to learn the shape of enemy aircraft. Ration coupons for sugar, meat, 
fabric, and gasoline were a way of life, as was carpooling to preserve 
rubber and gasoline for troops. Housewives poured off cooking fat to be 
salvaged for munitions.
  But on V-J Day, this was over in an instant. America was thrown open 
for the Nation's single largest tailgate party, and we were all rooting 
for the same team. In the joyous celebration, there was no difference 
between enlisted or officer or civilian, Americans danced in the 
streets, honked horns, blared radios. Americans poured into village 
parks, busy city squares and the streets. Libations flowed and 
everywhere, the noise was deafening.
  Even days before the surrender, when it appeared eminent, there was 
some interesting preparation. In my State of Florida, on August 10, 
1945, Governor Millard F. Caldwell issued a proclamation calling for 
Floridians to maintain the ``solemnity and dignity of the occasion'' by 
avoiding ``boisterous conduct,'' and to facilitate this, that ``all 
liquor package stores, bars and tap rooms and places dispensing 
alcoholic beverages, remain closed during that period''. I do not 
imagine that he achieved the abstemious decorum he sought, but it all 
went well. (I would like to enter this into the Record.)
  Of course, the image most recognizable to Americans, and the world, 
is of the Life magazine cover of a joyous, kissing sailor and nurse, 
which photographer Alfred Eisenstadt froze for all time. In an 
interview last month, Edith Cullen Shain recalled the pandemonium on 
August 14, 1945, the day of victory for the Allied Forces over Japan, 
when people grabbed anyone and hugged and kissed each other. ``I let 
him kiss me because he had been in war and he fought for me,'' Shain 
said of the sailor. ``I only wish now I had had a conversation with him 
or asked his name. I just got lost in the moment,'' said Shain, now an 
87-year-old great-grandmother from Santa Monica, California. And never 
missing the opportunity to point out a Floridian, I share that 
Elizabeth Harris of Tampa is the lady in the photo peeking over the 
sailor's shoulder. Also, two Floridians had their own V-J Day kiss. 
Betty and Dominick Bruno, 79 and 86 today living in Lakeland, never met 
but conducted a wartime correspondence. They finally met in person in 
Charlotte, North Carolina four years later, and kissed in the V-J Day 
bedlam in the streets, and have become local celebrities in Charlotte 
where they are featured in newspaper stories every decade on the 
anniversary of V-J Day.
  I would like to close with a testament that understandings and 
alliances can arise out of former cataclysm, today Japan stands with us 
as a true and enduring friend, fellow economic world leader, and force 
for a stable and prosperous Asia.
  Thank you, again, for bringing this Resolution to the Floor. As the 
events of World War II pass further into history, the deeds of so many 
must not fade in our memories. The veterans in the Pacific Theater 
brought peace and liberation to millions, and as Americans rejoiced on 
V-J Day 1945, we will continue to salute you for many years to come.

[From: Division of Elections, Proclamations and Executive Orders, 1845-
                           1995, Series S 13]

                       V-J Day Proclamation, 1945

       The United States entered the Second World War in December 
     1941, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 
     For the next four years Americans participated in what was 
     arguably the greatest national endeavor in our nation's 
     history.
       World War II had an enormous impact on the state of 
     Florida. More than 250,000 Floridians served in the Army, 
     Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard and almost 4,700 gave their 
     lives. About 170 military training bases of various sizes 
     were established in the state; while shipyards at Tampa, 
     Jacksonville, Panama City, and Pensacola turned out Liberty 
     Ships and landing craft; and Florida farmers helped feed both 
     Allied soldiers and civilians.
       Spessard L. Holland served as Florida's governor for most 
     of World War II, but Millard F. Caldwell had been elected the 
     state's twenty-ninth governor in late 1944. He presided over 
     the victory celebrations that erupted across the state in May 
     1945 upon the defeat of Nazi Germany, and again in August 
     1945, when victory over Japan was proclaimed.
       On August 10, when it became obvious that Japan was on the 
     verge of surrender, Governor Caldwell issued a proclamation 
     calling for Floridians to maintain the ``solemnity and 
     dignity of the occasion'' by avoiding ``boisterous conduct.'' 
     He urged all establishments that dispensed alcohol to close 
     for twenty-four hours following the announcement of the 
     surrender. Nevertheless, when news reached the state a few 
     days later of Japan's acceptance of surrender terms, joyous 
     pandemonium ensued. ``News of the Japanese capitulation last 
     night hit Tallahassee,'' reported a newspaper, ``with the 
     force of Uncle Sam's new atomic bomb and was the signal for 
     everybody to unloose that pent-up feeling and start what old-
     timers view as the most wild, spontaneous and enthusiastic 
     celebration ever witnessed in the Capital City.''
       A text version of the V-J Day proclamation is included 
     below the graphic image.

                              Proclamation

                            State of Florida


                          Executive Department

                              Tallahassee

       WHEREAS, the announcement of victory against Japan and the 
     final end of the destructive world-wide conflict, in which we 
     have been engaged since 1941, will be received by the people 
     of Florida, of the United States of America, and of the 
     entire civilized world, with gratitude and thanksgiving that 
     we have been spared further damage and sorrow, and
       WHEREAS, the solemnity and dignity of this occasion should 
     not be marred by any boisterous conduct on the part of the 
     thoughtless or by any tragic incident that can be avoided,
       NOW, THEREFORE, I, Millard F. Caldwell, by virtue of the 
     authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Florida, 
     proclaim V-J DAY in Florida as the twenty-four hours next 
     succeeding announcement of the surrender of Japan upon the 
     proclamation by the President of the United States that 
     hostilities are at an end, and urge that all liquor package 
     stores, bars and tap rooms and other places dispensing 
     alcoholic beverages, remain closed during that period;
       I also call upon the Sheriffs, their deputies and other law 
     enforcement officers throughout the State to cooperate in 
     making V-J Day orderly, dignified and law-abiding in 
     accordance with the spirit and intent of this proclamation.
       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused 
     to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Florida at 
     Tallahassee, the Capital, this the 10th day of August, A.D. 
     1945.
                                              Millard F. Caldwell,
                                                         Governor.
       Attest: R. A. Gray, Secretary of State.

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 360, a resolution 
commemorating the 60th anniversary of V-J Day and the end of World War 
II in the Pacific.
  Sixty years ago today, Japanese offIcials formally surrendered and by 
doing so concluded the bloodiest war in modern history,
  The United States entered the Second World War in December 1941, 
following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and over the next four 
years Americans participated in the greatest national endeavor in our 
Nation's history.
  The casualty toll of Americans in the Pacific Theater during World 
War II was approximately 92,904 killed, 208,333 wounded, and tens of 
thousands missing in action and prisoners of war, with civilians and 
military forces of the Allied Powers suffering equally devastating 
tolls.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of the lnland Empire are grateful to this 
greatest generation for their sacrifice and we honor them for their 
courage.
  Courage of people like Frank Sandoval of Ontario, California who 
bravely stood his ground as a landing crew machinist during battles 
with Japanese forces off the Island of Leyte, Philippines.
  Courage like that of former Congressman Jerry Pettis, who fought in 
the Pacific and then returned home to dedicate his life to his 
community. Indeed, our local VA Medical Center in Loma Linda is named 
after him.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this resolution so we may 
appropriately acknowledge the countless number of Americans who 
sacrificed their lives in World War II.
  The contributions of these brave Americans have allowed us to live in 
the prosperous and free America we know today. It is our duty not only 
to recognize and remember their example, but also to courageously 
follow it.

[[Page 19562]]


  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, as we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 
victory over Japan and the end of World War II in the Pacific Theater, 
let us not forget the suffering and injustices experienced by prisoners 
of war (POWs) and innocent civilians who found themselves in the path 
of the Japanese military.
  Thousands of American servicemen in the Pacific Theater were taken 
prisoner during World War II. Many were subjected to the Bataan Death 
March, in which the Japanese military forced them to march more than 60 
miles with little food or water. During this torturous trek, hundreds 
of U.S. soldiers died of dehydration, starvation, and violence. After 
being transported to Japan, many of these American POWs were handed 
over to private Japanese companies to toil as slave laborers.
  Sadly, American POWs were not the only victims of Japanese military 
abuse. The list of atrocities committed by the Japanese military is 
extensive. Some of the more widely known acts of brutality include: 
death, beheadings, rape and other violent acts, forced labor and 
marches, and imprisonment during the occupation of Guam and many Asian 
countries; creation of a biochemical warfare detachment, known 
infamously as Unit 731 in Mukden, Manchuria, where horrendous 
experiments on living POWs were conducted; killing of more than 300,000 
Chinese men, women, and children and the rape of 20,000 women during 
the event known as the `Rape of Nanking'; and forced sexual slavery of 
hundreds of thousands of women from Korea, the Philippines and other 
countries for Japanese troops.
  I acknowledge that H. Res. 360 properly recognizes that, ``Japan is 
now a free and prosperous democracy, a valued and durable friend based 
on shared values and mutual interests, and a guarantor against 
despotism and oppression in that area of the world.'' However, we must 
not forget the past.
  While the Government of Germany has formally apologized to the 
victims of the Holocaust and has taken great steps to provide financial 
compensation to the victims, the Government of Japan has refused to 
fully acknowledge the crimes it committed during World War II, and to 
provide reparations to its victims. The Government of Japan must 
reconcile its past in order to become a trusted world leader today.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I join in supporting House 
Resolution 360 recognizing V-J Day.
  Last week, I was honored to serve on a delegation with Congresswoman 
Madeleine Bordallo, accompanied by Col. Antonio Baines (U.S. Army--
Ret.) for the V-J Day activities in Beijing, China. The U.S. Embassy 
staff professionally coordinated the visit.
  A highlight was to meet with U.S. veterans who served in China during 
World War II. It was inspiring to personally meet heroes who still 
exhibit the courage of their service 60 years ago.
  I am grateful for my host, the Hon. Jiang Enzhu, Chairman of the 
Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress, who 
extended the invitation and provided a warm exchange of ideas to 
promote Chinese American Friendship. I addressed concern that the talks 
on textile imports had broken down the previous day.
  At the Great Hall of the People, we were welcomed by the Hon. Sheng 
Hauren, Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing 
Committee. In a frank exchange of viewpoints, we determined China and 
America have more in common rather than differences.
  It was inspiring to join veterans of a dozen nations at the Beijing 
Peace Wall for the signing for the Beijing Peace Declaration. Our stay 
concluded with a dinner hosted by President Hu Jintao.
  As the son of a Flying Tiger who served in China, I especially was 
appreciative to attend these events. My late father, 1LT Hugh D. 
Wilson, was proud to have protected the Chinese people in the 
Fourteenth Air Force as a member of the 91st Fighter Squadron, 81st 
Fighter Group known as the Thunderdragons of Fungwaushan, China.
  The following report by my father was presented to fellow 14th Air 
Force Veterans as he reflected on his service.

        A Night on a Sandbar on the Yangtze River--March 8, 1945

                          (By Hugh D. Wilson)

       I had spent twelve months in China as a fighter pilot, 
     flying P-40's and P-47's. In another three months I would 
     finish my quota of missions and be on my way home.
       On March 7, Lt. Col. Getchel, 1st Lt. Phil Van Sickle and I 
     were called into our CO's office to inform us that we had 
     been picked to ferry three L-5's (Stinson) from Kunming to 
     Chengtu a distance of 600 miles. We were to fly by transport 
     to Kunming early on the 8th. The planes would be ready and we 
     were to fly half way back by night fall to Ipin, spend the 
     night and then on to Chengtu.
       We took off from Kunming about 2 p.m. with an ETA at Ipin 
     at 5 p.m. The L-5's had a 165 HP Engine and we were cruising 
     about 100 MPH.
       Van Sickle and I being 1st Lts. closely followed our Col. 
     which was a mistake, for after about two hours he called on 
     the radio that he thought he had missed a check point.
       I had been doing some map reading and assured the Col. that 
     we couldn't be far off course and should reach the Yangtze 
     river in about 45 minutes. So--on we flew and arrived at the 
     river in one hour. The Col. said he thought we were west of 
     Ipin and that we should fly east along the river until we 
     could recognize some check points.
       Ipin is at the foot of the Himalaya mountains on the 
     headwaters of the Yangtze river. We were warned not to fly 
     much west of Ipin because there was a tribe of Chinese head 
     hunters at the foot of Mt. Minya Konka. (Second highest 
     mountain in the world 24,900 ft.)
       It was getting dark about this time as I spotted a white 
     sand bar that I thought we could land on. We all agreed and 
     flew down close to get a good look. The river runs thru a 
     narrow valley with mountains on each side rising to 800 ft.
       On landing the Col. who went in first landed too far from 
     the water where the sand was soft and nosed but he was not 
     hurt. Van Sickle and I were both from Florida and knew that 
     on our beaches the sand is firmer at the water's edge. We 
     both got in fine. In a few minutes it was dark.
       In about thirty minutes we could see a circle of lanterns 
     all around us and closing in slowly. We didn't know whether 
     they were head hunters or who. As they closed in on us we 
     stood close together and agreed to be as friendly as possible 
     (all the Chinese we knew was ``Ding How''--``good''). Inside 
     my jacket I had the Chinese and American flag and I took it 
     off to show them.
       There were at least fifty men all with a lantern with 
     candles in them and each had a gun of some kind. I have never 
     seen as many old guns, some were blunderbusses even.
       In a few minutes they acknowledged that we were Americans 
     and friendly. They took a good look at our planes and saw the 
     U.S. Air Force identification.
       In another twenty minutes, a Chinese Buddha monk arrived 
     from a monastery that was atop the mountain just above us. He 
     could speak some English and asked us to follow him up the 
     mountain for shelter for the night (800 ft).
       The monk offered us some food and we decided to eat some of 
     their duck eggs.
       After a fairly comfortable night and assured by the monks 
     that we were east of Ipin the Col. flew with me west to Ipin 
     and to gas up (50 miles). We then flew back to assure Van 
     Sickle that he could follow us home. We transferred the gas 
     from the wrecked plane to Van Sickle's and flew on home with 
     no further trouble. This time we all three navigated!

  The above summary is indicative of the courage of our veterans in 
China and it is with deep appreciation that I urge my colleagues to 
support H.R. 360.
  Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 
360, a resolution commemorating the 60th Anniversary of V-J Day and the 
end of World War II in the Pacific.
  On Friday, September 2, 2005, a ceremony was held on the USS Missouri 
in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, commemorating the September 2, 1945 signing of 
the final surrender of Japan on her deck. Although I was in Iraq on 
that day, I made the following statement:

       On this very ship, six decades ago, the greatest 
     conflagration our world has ever known and, pray God, will 
     ever know, came to a merciful end. As we stand here today, we 
     feel acutely, and with the living, breathing spirit of 
     history around us, that range of emotions coming to us 
     through these lengthening years: the depth of treachery by 
     some to the human spirit; the magnitude of suffering; the 
     breadth of bravery and sacrifice; the exhilaration of triumph 
     and victory; the sorrow of loss; and the faith and abiding 
     promise of democracy and freedom.
       I so regret that I cannot be with you personally for this 
     moment, but I am with our troops in still another war on the 
     other side of our world. But please know that I am here in 
     spirit as we pause to remember all of this and to recommit 
     ourselves that we shall forever heed the lessons of World War 
     II.

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, World War II marked a great pivot point 
for our Nation and the world. The Allies' great victory against the 
forces of oppression endures today as a testament to the determination 
and will of freedom's progress over oppression. The end of the war in 
the Pacific was a triumph for liberty in the world, and though many 
lives were lost, the memories of their valiant sacrifice will never be 
forgotten.
  As we mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the war in the Pacific, 
we must also remember the sacrifices and hardships faced by the only 
Americans to be occupied during the war, the Chamorro people of Guam.
  For the island of Guam, the war in the Pacific was a dark time 
indeed. Thirty-two months of oppressive occupation caused hardship and 
suffering, necessitating sacrifice and

[[Page 19563]]

perseverance by the Chamorro people. Today we honor those whose lives 
were lost during this period. Though the scars of the occupation remain 
today, the liberation of the island is remembered as a seminal moment 
in the history of the Chamorro people.
  The brave men of the 3rd Marine Division, the 77th Army Infantry 
Division, and the 6th Marine Provisional Brigade on July 21, 1944, 
fought tirelessly to liberate the Chamorro people and end the 
occupation. The people of Guam would like to acknowledge the enduring 
memory of these men who risked their lives on our behalf. Those who 
perished in this noble effort are today memorialized in solemn 
remembrance and will be for generations to come.
  Mr. CHANDLER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Boozman). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 360.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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