[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 13848-13849]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF OPERATION OVERLORD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, this Saturday, June 6, 2009 marks 
the 65th anniversary of D-day.
  Sixty-five years ago, 150,000 Allied soldiers, many of them just 
teenagers, braved tumbling seas, inclement weather, waves of machinegun 
fire and millions of land mines to take a stretch of beach at a place 
called Normandy. The bravery and sacrifice of these young men began the 
Allied effort to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation during World War 
II. D-day signaled the beginning of the end for the brutal fascist 
regime bent on global domination, and the return of hope to millions 
across the world.
  With the enormity and significance of D-day, it is often difficult 
for our minds to comprehend that such a historic undertaking was 
carried out by individual everyday Americans. However these individuals 
were not ordinary people. Rather, they possessed profound 
determination, courage and commitment to purpose and were led by 
extraordinary leaders with unrivaled character and unmatched vision.
  No star shined brighter at this dangerous hour than one of our 
greatest Kansas sons, General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Dwight D. 
Eisenhower, a boy from Abilene, Kansas, grew up to serve America as 
Supreme Commander of the Allied forces during World War II and later as 
our 34th President. During the most difficult days of World War II, 
General Eisenhower made the crucial and controversial decisions 
necessary for victory.
  With the responsibility of Operation Overlord, the largest amphibious 
invasion in the history of the world, General Eisenhower was fully 
aware that weather would play a critical factor in the success of D-day 
and the safety of hundreds of thousands of troops. Under the full 
weight of these consequences, he elected to delay the massive 
undertaking by one day due to weather concerns. Faced with only 
marginally better weather forecast the next day, June 6, 1944, he 
ordered the commencement of the operation and took sole responsibility 
for this critical decision, a choice that ultimately determined the 
outcome of the war.
  General Eisenhower's words to his troops on D-day are inscribed at 
the national World War II Memorial. He is quoted, ``You are about to 
embark on the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven for many 
months. The eyes of the world are upon you. I have full faith in your 
confidence, in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We 
will accept nothing less than full victory.''
  No one understood the historical enormity of D-day more than General 
Eisenhower. His sense of responsibility was profound. Following the 
successful landing at Normandy, one of Eisenhower's aides discovered a 
note that Eisenhower had scribbled before the invasion. It read, ``Our 
landings in the area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold, and I 
have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place 
was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air, and 
the Navy did all that bravery and devotion could do. If any blame or 
fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone.''
  In these current times of great national challenges, we need leaders 
who possess the same sense of responsibility.
  I'm honored to serve as a Commissioner on the Dwight D. Eisenhower 
Memorial Commission. The Commission was established by Congress in 
1999, and it is charged with creating a permanent national memorial to 
our World War II hero and 34th President. Following a rigorous 
selection process, the commission has selected a world-renowned 
architect, Frank Gehry, as the lead designer for the memorial. The 
National Eisenhower Memorial

[[Page 13849]]

will reflect Ike's great legacy and his optimism for America's future. 
It will illustrate his love of democracy and country, and his faith in 
international cooperation and understanding. In fact, his memorial will 
be the first to reach out to international visitors in their own 
languages.
  President Eisenhower represents the best of Kansas and the best of 
America. This weekend, as we pause to remember those veterans who 
selflessly gave their lives for the cause of freedom on a foreign 
French beach 65 years ago, my hope is that we will reflect upon the 
principled leadership, conviction and commitment shown by General 
Eisenhower, a man who never forgot that his first responsibility was to 
lead a coalition to the best of his ability to victory. Indeed, we 
currently face tough and uncertain times ourselves, but in these 
difficult times, it is important to remember President Eisenhower's 
words: ``America is exactly as strong as the initiative, courage, 
understanding and loyalty of our individual citizen.''

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