[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 12013-12016]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1500
                     NATIONAL D-DAY REMEMBRANCE DAY

  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1235) expressing support for 
the designation of National D-Day Remembrance Day, and recognizing the 
spirit, courage, and sacrifice of the men and women who fought and won 
World War II.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1235

       Whereas June 6, 2008, marks the 64th anniversary of D-Day, 
     the day of the beginning of the Allied assault against the 
     Axis forces at Normandy, France, during World War II;
       Whereas the D-Day assault, codenamed Operation Overlord, 
     was the most extensive amphibious invasion ever to occur, and 
     involved 5,000 ships, over 11,000 sorties of Allied aircraft, 
     and 150,000 American, British, and Canadian troops on the 
     first day of the operation;
       Whereas the D-Day assault was among the most important 
     events of World War II, as the success of the Allied landings 
     in Normandy provided the foothold for the liberation of 
     France and the eventual Allied advancement into Germany, 
     leading ultimately to the Allied victory in Europe;
       Whereas the brave men and women of our armed services who 
     participated in the D-Day assault forever changed the course 
     of history by starting the liberation of occupied Europe from 
     Nazi Germany;
       Whereas 5 separate beaches were assaulted, with American 
     forces under the command of Lieutenant General Omar Bradley 
     attacking Omaha and Utah beaches, and British and Canadian 
     forces under the command of General Miles Dempsey attacking 
     Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches;
       Whereas according to General Dwight D. Eisenhower, American 
     troops would ``accept nothing less than full victory'';
       Whereas American troops displayed tremendous heroism, 
     dedication, and strength in storming the beaches of Normandy 
     against a heavily fortified enemy;
       Whereas American troops suffered significant losses during 
     the assault, including over 6,500 casualties;
       Whereas June 6, 1944, is one of the most significant dates 
     in the history of the United States;
       Whereas the National D-Day Museum was dedicated on June 6, 
     2000, in New Orleans, Louisiana;
       Whereas Congress designated the museum as ``America's 
     National World War II Museum'' in 2003;
       Whereas the museum has welcomed 1,800,000 visitors since 
     its opening, and currently sees an average of 17,000 visitors 
     a month;
       Whereas the National World War II Museum is the only museum 
     in the United States that exists for the exclusive purpose of 
     interpreting the American experience during World War II on 
     both the homefront and battlefront and, in doing so, covers 
     all the branches of the Armed Forces and the Merchant 
     Marines;
       Whereas the museum interprets the American experience 
     during World War II, celebrates the American spirit, 
     recognizes the teamwork, optimism, courage, and sacrifice of 
     the men and women who won World War II, and promotes the 
     exploration and expression of these values by future 
     generations; and
       Whereas it would be appropriate to designate June 6, 2008, 
     as National D-Day Remembrance Day: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the 
     designation of National D- Day Remembrance Day, recognizes 
     and honors the veterans who served on D-Day, and thanks them 
     for their spirit, courage, and sacrifice.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown) and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. 
Scalise) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, last week, on June 6, we celebrated the anniversary of 
one of our greatest military accomplishments and an historic event that 
changed the face of our Nation and the world.
  On June 6, 1944, the largest seaboard invasion in history began the 
2-month Battle of Normandy. The D-day invasion began during the night, 
and continued with air and naval attacks and an amphibious attack in 
the early morning hours.
  The D-day operation of June 6, 1944 brought together the land, air 
and sea forces of the Allied armies in what become known as the largest 
invading force in human history. Operation Overlord landed five naval 
assault divisions to the beaches of Normandy, code-named Utah, Omaha, 
Gold, Juno and Sword.
  The invasion force included 7,000 ships and landing craft manned by 
195,000 Navy personnel from eight Allied countries. Almost 133,000 
troops from England, Canada and the United States landed on D-day. 
Casualties during the landing was over 10,000.
  New Orleans is the home of a wonderful museum, the National World War 
II Museum. This museum opened its doors on June 6, 2000, and paid 
tribute not only to the D-day but all of the efforts in World War II. 
One of the reasons it is located in New Orleans is it was the home of 
Andrew Jackson Higgins.
  The historian, Steven Ambrose, reported that General Eisenhower once

[[Page 12014]]

told them that Higgins was the man who won the war for us. Eisenhower 
explained to him that if Higgins had not designated and built the 
LCVPs, we never could have landed over the open beach. The whole 
strategy of the war would have been different.
  According to the National World War II Museum, the Higgins work force 
was the first in New Orleans to be racially integrated. This work force 
shattered production records, turning out more than 200,000 boats, 
including 12,500 LCVPs, or Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel, by the 
end of the war.
  General Eisenhower's D-day message read: You are about to embark upon 
the greatest crusade, toward which we have strived these many months. 
The eyes of the world are upon you, and hopes and praise of liberty-
loving people everywhere march with you.
  The world still recalls D-day, and the efforts of the United States 
and our Allies to end fascism in Europe and across the globe. It is 
fitting that we recall these accomplishments, and this day, and the 
service and sacrifice that hastened the end of World War II.
  The world still looks to us for leadership for leadership and to be a 
beacon to illustrate the path ahead. Let us always strive to provide 
this light, this leadership and this wisdom to do what is right.
  Last August I had the honor and privilege to visit the Normandy 
American Cemetery and Memorial in France. While there I laid a wreath 
of flowers in honor of the soldiers that fought and died at Normandy 
and visited the graves of Floridians who gave their life fighting the 
Nazis.
  Tori Robinson, an American gospel singer based in Paris, also a 
constituent of mine, sung at the ceremony. Her version of God bless 
America brought people from all over the memorial. There this honor was 
shared by all visitors in this holy place.
  I want to take a special note to honor Chairman Obey and Chairman 
Murtha for their hard work in getting funds for this new Normandy 
Visitors Center appropriated. My visit to this center followed theirs, 
which was just dedicated on June 6, 2007, the 63rd anniversary of D-
day.
  This visitors center truly paid tribute to the soldiers who stormed 
those beaches and gave visitors a true sense of what these men and 
their loved ones was going through during the war that led up to the D-
day invasion.
  I encourage all Americans to visit this hallowed site. Most of the 
visitors are from Europe and come to honor the sacrifice of the young 
Americans made for their freedom.
  Many brave men and women died on this day, 64 years ago, to restore 
the freedom we enjoy today. Here rests in honored glory a comrade in 
arms only God knows, reads just one of the 9,387 grave markers at the 
American cemetery in Normandy, France. We honor them by remembering and 
this resolution calls us to remember.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCALISE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1235, 
a measure expressing support for the designation of National D-Day 
Remembrance Day, and recognizing the spirit, courage and sacrifice of 
the men and women who fought and won World War II. D-day is one of the 
most significant days in our Nation's history, and we should never 
forget the bravery and determination displayed on the beaches of 
Northern France.
  This resolution also recognizes the National World War II Museum in 
New Orleans. The museum was dedicated in 2000 as the National D-Day 
Museum, and later in 2003, Congress designated the museum as America's 
National World War II Museum. The museum has welcomed 1.8 million 
visitors since its opening, and currently sees an average of 17,000 
visitors a month.
  The National World War II Museum is the only museum in the United 
States that exists for the exclusive purpose of interpreting the 
American experience during World War II. It celebrates the American 
spirit, recognizes the teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifices of 
the men and women who won World War II, and promotes the exploration 
and expression of these values by future generations.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Obey).
  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, no one can visit the American cemetery at 
Normandy without gaining a profound appreciation for the courage and 
the sense of self-sacrifice demonstrated by every one of our soldiers 
who fought to take that beach and begin the liberation of Europe.
  For years, families who went to that cemetery to think about their 
loved ones, think about their loss and, at the same time, think about 
their pride, had a totally inadequate place in which to sit and think 
or perhaps retreat from the rest of the people around them for a few 
precious moments. And I am so pleased that I was able to work with 
Congressman Murtha, with Congressman Walsh, with Congressman Hobson, in 
order to provide the funding for the new visitors center which is now 
at that location. It is a spectacularly beautiful, and yet subtle 
tribute to each and every American who fought there.
  For years, that visitors center did not tell an adequate story of the 
sense of self-sacrifice that was exhibited in those days. Now it 
finally does, and I think it will serve as an inspiration, not just to 
every American who visits that site, but also to every person from any 
part of the world who values freedom and values sacrifice.
  I know of no monument that is more eloquent in paying tribute to both 
than that monument, and I think it's fitting that we pass a resolution, 
again, praising the courage and the dedication of the Americans who 
fought to make the entire world free.
  Mr. SCALISE. Mr. Speaker, I am going to yield 3 minutes to the 
ranking member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, Mr. Boozman 
from Arkansas.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Scalise for bringing 
this forward. It's important for us periodically to pause and think 
about the tremendous sacrifice, especially while the men and women that 
made all of this possible are still with us, that we can pause and just 
think of the sacrifice that they did on this day.
  I also want to welcome Mr. Scalise to the Veterans' Affairs Committee 
again, that he has volunteered to become a part of that committee and 
to work in a very bipartisan way so that we can do our best for 
veterans.
  On June 6, 1944, the United States participated in the largest 
seaboard invasion in history. Countless men and women served their 
country that day, and I stand before you to ask for your support for 
the designation of National D-Day Remembrance Day.
  Preparations for D-day began long before June 6, 1944. In fact, 
discussions about an allied invasion began in 1942. The Germans 
expected an invasion along the north coast of France and built up 
forces along the narrowest portion of the channel. However, the Allies 
planned to land just south of the German build-up. In order to execute 
a successful campaign, our men and women, along with Allied forces in 
other countries, not only had to plan an attack, but also to contend 
with many of the same issues we ourselves are faced with today.
  War planners projected 5,000 tons of gasoline would be needed daily 
for the first 20 days after the initial invasion. 3,489 tons of soap 
would be needed in the first four months after the invasion. 
Approximately 300 planes would drop bombs along the coast of Normandy. 
Six parachute regiments, including 13,000 men, needed to be 
transported. 5,000 vessels would transport men and 30,000 vehicles 
across the English channel.
  It's clear that the efforts that led to D-day and the many days 
afterward were that of dedicated men and women who sacrificed their 
jobs, their families and in many cases their own lives to ensure that 
the United States of America and the Allied forces would be successful.
  Words cannot express our gratitude for their courage and spirit. 
However,

[[Page 12015]]

by designating a National D-Day Remembrance Day, we can continue to 
remember the sacrifice unwavering commitment to our country, and 
determination of the men and women who fought and won World War II. I 
urge my colleagues to remember and honor these men and women by 
supporting this resolution.
  I also want to comment on Mr. Obey, what he said in regard to the 
actual monument. And I've had the opportunity to be there. My daughter, 
while she was vacationing in Europe, in her early twenties, she and her 
friends enjoyed it so much that they actually were just going and 
planning on spending an afternoon, wound up spending the night, and 
were so impressed with the way that everything's portrayed that, again 
they did a good job.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Cazayoux).
  Mr. CAZAYOUX. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 
1235, by my fellow delegation member, Congressman Scalise. This 
resolution thoughtfully commemorates the sacrifices of our armed 
services on that fateful day, 64 years ago on the beach of Normandy.
  I was reminded of that sacrifice when I visited veterans over 
Memorial Day at a ceremony at the USS Kidd in Baton Rouge. I also 
attended an event for the Louisiana Honor Air Program, which helps our 
World War II veterans, many themselves D-day survivors, visit the World 
War II memorial for the first time.
  The D-day assault was the most extensive amphibious invasion in 
history. Its success was a shining example of the strength and 
professionalism of our armed services.
  As our thoughts and prayers go out to our young men and women who 
fight for us in Iraq and Afghanistan, we pay tribute to their 
predecessors by supporting this resolution to designate a National D-
Day Remembrance Day.
  Louisiana played a huge part in the Allies' success at D-day. Indeed 
the amphibious Higgins boat itself was developed in Louisiana and based 
on boats built to navigate our swamps and marshes. For this reason, New 
Orleans is home to the National D-Day Museum and is designated by 
Congress as America's National World War II museum.
  I support the resolution, and strongly encourage this House to 
designate June 6, 2008, as National D-Day Remembrance Day.

                              {time}  1515

  Mr. SCALISE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Daniel E. Lungren).
  Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, about 6 months ago 
I got an unexpected call in my office from a fellow named Carlo 
DiVirgilio from Upstate New York. I had never met the man, and when I 
got on the phone, he said, I just learned that you were in Congress. I 
just wanted to ask you a question. Was your father Dr. Lungren? And I 
said, Yes, he was. And he said, I served with him in Normandy 60 years 
ago.
  And he recounted to me some of the battles they went through: the 
Battle of Senlo, the Battle of Mortain. And he talked about the fear 
that young men had at that time as they got up to the front lines how 
they feared death. One of the great things he said to me was, When we 
were around your father, we felt safe. We felt that we were not going 
to die.
  These were young men who were sent into battle not knowing whether 
they were going to win but knowing that they had to fight. Had the 
outcome been different, history would have changed. We would not have 
liberated Europe. D-day is such an important date that we need to 
commemorate it as this resolution does.
  It is a date that gives us pause because we understand that when 
Dwight D. Eisenhower made the decision to go, it was not certain that 
it would succeed. As a matter of fact, those who come here to our 
Nation's Capitol and go into the Rotunda, they see a statue of Dwight 
Eisenhower, President of the United States. But he is not there 
depicted as President of the United States. Rather, he is depicted as 
the Supreme Allied Commander, the first leader of combined forces in 
the history of warfare. And he's standing there with a gesture that 
commemorates a photograph that was taken at the time that he went to go 
see the paratroopers he was sending off to war.
  You have to understand. He realized that maybe as many as six or 
eight out of every ten that he looked at were going to die, and they 
were going to die because he was sending them into battle. But he had 
the courage as a leader to look them in the face, to talk to them 
before they went off to war and to give them the best that he could.
  And then, remarkably, after he had addressed them, he got back into 
his military automobile and turned to his aide and gave him a piece of 
paper. And on that piece of paper, General Eisenhower had written out a 
statement; and he said, If this fails, I want this statement to be 
read. And what was the statement? It gave all support and all honor to 
the men who served under him, and he took all blame and responsibility 
for its failure. What a remarkable example of leadership at that time.
  Today, when we hear the first response from many people, I don't care 
whether they're in professional sports or whether they're in politics 
or whether they're in business, when something goes wrong, almost the 
first instinct is to point the finger at somebody else to say, It 
wasn't my job. It wasn't my responsibility.
  But Dwight Eisenhower was not that kind of person. He is the 
definition of a leader. He is one who made the tough decision to go on 
June 6, 64 years ago, not being guaranteed a success but knowing that 
the risk was worth it. There was nothing else he could do. And then 
saying, If this fails, it is all on me.
  Ladies and gentlemen, as we remember today that great day, the great 
sacrifice of all, including my father, let us remember the example of a 
great leader, Dwight Eisenhower, who told us what it is to lead: Not 
for vain glory, but rather for great purpose.
  Thank you very much.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. SCALISE. Mr. Speaker, last Friday, June 6, 2008, marked the 64th 
anniversary of D-day, one of the most significant days in our Nation's 
history. June 6, 1944, marked the beginning of the Allied assault 
against the Axis forces in Normandy, France, and the beginning of the 
end of World War II; and it started the liberation of occupied Europe 
from Nazi Germany.
  The D-day invasion was the largest amphibious assault the world had 
ever seen with more than 5,000 ships and over 150,000 American, 
British, and Canadian troops involved on that single day.
  Mr. Speaker, as a Member who is honored to represent the people of 
Southeast Louisiana, I am proud of the role that my State played on D-
day. In New Orleans, Andrew Jackson Higgins designed the LCVPs, or the 
Higgins boats, that were used extensively in World War II for 
amphibious landings. Higgins and the 30,000 Louisiana workers of 
Higgins Industries built and tested the Higgins boats in Southeast 
Louisiana during the war.
  The Higgins boat was crucial to the success of D-day. According to 
General Eisenhower, the Allies would not have been able to land on an 
open beach without the Higgins boat. General Eisenhower claimed that 
Higgins was the man who won the war for us.
  Louisiana is also home to many of the brave men and women who fought 
and won in World War II. J.J. Witmeyer, who lives in the New Orleans 
suburb of Hanrahan, participated in the D-day invasion. Mr. Witmeyer 
served as an infantry soldier and landed on Utah Beach. Mr. Witmeyer 
describes his experience of landing at Normandy on Higgins boats like 
this: ``When the ramp went down, you were going through the gates of 
hell . . . you didn't know how deep the water was, where the beach was 
and they were firing at you.''
  Mr. Witmeyer escaped injury that day but was later wounded twice. He 
won a battlefield commission as a captain, served as an acting military 
governor in Dortmund, Germany, and as a

[[Page 12016]]

commandant of two camps for displaced war victims in Czechoslovakia.
  It is because of the courage and sacrifice of soldiers like J.J. 
Witmeyer and the ingenuity and dedication of individuals like Andrew 
Higgins that we were successful on June 6, 1944, and went on to win the 
war.
  The brave men and women of our Nation's Greatest Generation displayed 
tremendous heroism, dedication, and strength and forever changed the 
course of history. General Dwight D. Eisenhower said we would ``accept 
nothing less than full victory,'' and our troops did just that.
  Our success did not come without significant losses, however. 
American forces suffered over 3,300 soldiers killed in action and an 
additional 3,000 soldiers suffered injury.
  Mr. Speaker, the courage and sacrifice displayed by the Allied forces 
on June 6, 1944, should never be forgotten, and we should always 
remember D-day and honor the men and women who fought and persevered 
for the price of freedom. D-day will forever be an important part of 
U.S. history, and the day deserves to be recognized. The Members of the 
Armed Forces who participated in the invasion are true American heroes. 
That is why I introduced House Resolution 1235 calling on Congress to 
support the designation of a national D-day Remembrance Day.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to recognize and honor the veterans 
who served on D-day and join me in thanking them for their spirit, 
courage, and sacrifice. I also urge my colleagues to join me in paying 
tribute to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans for sharing 
their stories with future generations. For so many years, the Greatest 
Generation was reluctant to share their stories, and fortunately for 
all of us, as time went on, more and more have been willing to open up 
and give that testimony; and we are so honored to have much of that 
testimony collected at the National World War II Museum for future 
generations to share.
  By passing House Resolution 1235, we honor D-day. More importantly, 
we honor the men and women of the Greatest Generation who made June 6, 
1944, one of the most important days in our Nation's history, a day 
that all men can be proud of, a day that all Americans should never 
forget.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend 
their remarks and include any extraneous material on House Resolution 
1235.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GOODE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1235, a 
resolution to designate National D-Day Remembrance Day and recognize 
the spirit, courage, and sacrifice of the men and women who fought and 
won World War II. One of modern history's defining events, D-day was 
the climactic engagement of the Second World War. On June 6, 1944, an 
Allied Expeditionary Force representing twelve nations launched more 
than 5,000 boats and ships, 11,000 aircraft, 28,000 aerial sorties, and 
landed 150,000 ground troops. Among those troops were more than 30 
soldiers from Bedford, Virginia, a small, rural community which 
experienced the highest per capita loss rate of any community in the 
United States on D-day. For this reason, Bedford is the home to the 
National D-Day Memorial, which was dedicated by President Bush on June 
6, 2001. The National D-Day Memorial exists in tribute to the valor, 
fidelity, and sacrifice of the Allied Forces on D-day. The Memorial 
preserves the lessons and legacy of that fateful day and reminds all 
who enter it of the heavy price that heartland communities have paid, 
and still pay, for freedom.
  I urge all members to support H. Res. 1235 and honor the great 
sacrifice of our veterans who served on D-day and in all the other 
conflicts that preserved American freedom throughout our history.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1235, a measure 
expressing support for the designation of National D-Day Remembrance 
Day, and recognizing the spirit, courage, and sacrifice of the men and 
women who fought and won World War II.
  On June 6, 1944, the largest sea-borne invasion in military history 
led to the defeat of Hitler and the Nazis' stranglehold on Europe. 
Nearly 7,000 ships and landing craft, loaded with American, British and 
other troops, crossed the English Channel to destroy tyranny and 
restore freedom to Europe. Nearly 3,500 lives were lost in this immense 
display of courage and sacrifice.
  The heroism displayed by the Allied forces on D-day should never be 
forgotten and we should always honor the men and women who saved 
democracy from the shadow of oppression. That is why we should approve 
H.R. 1235 calling on Congress to support the designation of a National 
D-Day Remembrance Day.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to recognize and honor the veterans 
who served on D-day, and join me in supporting this bill thanking them 
for their courage and sacrifice.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to 
unanimously support House Resolution 1235.
  I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1235.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. 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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