[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 13967-13969]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      SUPPORTING SPIRIT OF '45 DAY

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 226) supporting the observance 
of ``Spirit of '45 Day''.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 226

       Whereas on August 14, 1945, the people of the United States 
     received word of the end of World War II;
       Whereas on that day, people in the United States and around 
     the world greeted the news of the Allies' noble victory with 
     joyous celebration, humility, and spiritual reflection;
       Whereas the victory marked the culmination of an 
     unprecedented national effort that defeated the forces of 
     aggression, brought freedom to subjugated nations, and ended 
     the horrors of the Holocaust;
       Whereas these historic accomplishments were achieved 
     through the collective service and personal sacrifice of the 
     people of the United States, both those who served in uniform 
     and those who supported them on the home front;
       Whereas more than 400,000 Americans gave their lives in 
     service to their country during World War II;
       Whereas, August 14, 1945, marked not only the end of the 
     war, but also the beginning of an unprecedented era of 
     rebuilding in which the United States led the effort to 
     restore the shattered nations of the Allies and their enemies 
     alike and to create institutions to work towards a more 
     peaceful global community;
       Whereas the men and women of the World War II generation 
     created an array of organizations and institutions during the 
     postwar era which helped to strengthen American democracy by 
     promoting civic engagement, volunteerism, and service to 
     community and country;
       Whereas the courage, dedication, self-sacrifice, and 
     compassion of the World War II generation have inspired 
     subsequent generations in the United States Armed Forces, 
     including the men and women currently in service in Iraq, 
     Afghanistan, and around the world;
       Whereas the entire World War II generation, military and 
     civilian alike, has provided a model of unity and community 
     that serves as a source of inspiration for current and future 
     generations of Americans to come together to work for the 
     continued betterment of the United States and the world; and
       Whereas the second Sunday in August has been proposed as 
     ``Spirit of '45 Day'' to commemorate the anniversary of the 
     end of World War II on August 14, 1945: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress supports the observance of 
     ``Spirit of '45 Day''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) and the gentleman from Alabama 
(Mr. Bonner) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia.


                             General Leave

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. NORTON. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, I present House Concurrent Resolution 226 for consideration, 
supporting the observance of Spirit of '45 Day to commemorate the 
anniversary of the end of World War II on August 14, 1945.

                              {time}  1620

  H. Con. Res. 226 was introduced by our colleague, Representative 
Filner of California, in January 2010. It was referred to the Committee 
on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably 
by unanimous consent in July. H. Con. Res. 226 enjoys the strong 
bipartisan support of over 70 cosponsors.
  Madam Speaker, communities across the country will commemorate the 
65th anniversary of the end of World War II on August 14 by 
establishing an annual day of remembrance in honor of the legacy of the 
men and women of America's so-called ``Greatest Generation.''
  August 14, 1945, is a day that changed history. It marked the end of 
World War II and ushered in a new era of peace, prosperity and unity 
made possible by the heroic efforts of men and women who risked their 
freedom to give us ours.
  The goal of this resolution is to inspire a renewed sense of 
community and national unity in our country by

[[Page 13968]]

establishing a day when America will stop to reflect on the 
achievements of the men and women who endured the Great Depression, 
preserved freedom and democracy in the most devastating war in history, 
and then went on to rebuild their shattered world. Their example of 
courage, self-sacrifice and commitment to community can inspire a 
renewed sense of national unity at a time when our country must again 
come together to meet common challenges.
  Spirit of '45 Day will engage young and old in a shared, 
intergenerational project that will preserve forever an important part 
of the Nation's history and heritage, while reinvigorating an awareness 
of the importance of coming together as a community, honoring service 
to others, and creating a sense of national unity at a time when our 
Nation is facing major challenges once again.
  Madam Speaker, this year marks the 65th anniversary of the end of 
World War II. And it may be one of the last times Americans can say 
thank you to our ``Greatest Generation'' for their legacy of service. 
Let us now honor them and encourage others to follow their example 
through the passage of H. Con. Res. 226.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 226, 
supporting the observance of Spirit of '45 Day.
  Madam Speaker, August 14, 2010, marks the 65th anniversary of the end 
of World War II. It was on this day in 1945 that the Japanese informed 
the United States that they had agreed to the terms of the surrender 
agreement, and after some six horrific years, the Second World War was 
over.
  The Allied victory marked the culmination of an unparalleled national 
effort that defeated the Axis Powers, liberated oppressed nations, and 
ended the horrors of the Holocaust. The victory was achieved by the 
collective service and individual sacrifice of the people of the United 
States, both those who served on the front lines overseas, as well as 
those who supported them here at home.
  Japan's surrender came some 3 years and 8 months after the bombings 
at Pearl Harbor, and marked the beginning of an unprecedented era of 
global rebuilding. The United States was the leader in this effort to 
not only rebuild the war-ravaged nations of our allies, but of our 
enemies as well.
  Madam Speaker, during World War II, more than 400,000 Americans lost 
their lives in the ultimate act of sacrifice to our great Nation. The 
men and women who were fortunate enough to survive and served so 
bravely, both on the home front and overseas, make up a generation that 
many Americans consider the ``Greatest Generation,'' a generation that 
has and continues to dedicate themselves to service and sacrifice to 
their communities and to our great country. This generation has 
promoted civic engagement and created numerous organizations and 
institutions in the post-war years that have truly made America and the 
world a better place.
  Today, the sacrifice, courage and dedication of those who served 
during World War II still inspires those who wear the uniform and 
defend our Nation each and every day. The men and women in our Armed 
Forces who fight for our freedoms every day in Iraq, Afghanistan and 
all over the world are the children and grandchildren of those who gave 
so much in World War II. Undoubtedly, today's soldiers have been 
influenced and motivated by those who served during the great World 
War.
  Madam Speaker, as we move further away from this historic 
anniversary, and with many of this generation passing away on a daily 
basis, it is so easy to forget both the sacrifices that this generation 
made during the war, and what they did after the war. America's victory 
catapulted our Nation to become the predominant world superpower, and 
allowed the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of this 
generation to grow up in a more prosperous and safe country.
  Like my colleagues and all Americans, I am truly thankful for the 
sacrifices endured by so many during the war and after August 14, 1945. 
And on the second Sunday in August, the proposed Spirit of '45 Day, I 
urge each and every American to reflect on the importance of this day 
and what it means to our country.
  Madam Speaker, I strongly support this resolution and urge all 
Members to join me in supporting H. Con. Res. 226.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner), the author of the resolution.
  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, as the chairman of the House Veterans' 
Affairs Committee, I ask all my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 226, 
to honor our great heroes of the Second World War.
  We all know that this was the war that was carried out by the 
``Greatest Generation.'' And the Spirit of '45 Memorial Day is to set 
aside for us and our children and our grandchildren and their children 
to think about the courage and the heroism and of course the victory of 
the troops who fought on the Allied side in the Second World War.
  This day of remembrance was celebrated several months ago in San 
Diego on the aircraft carrier Midway, which is stationed as both a 
learning environment and as a tourist attraction in the San Diego 
harbor.
  One of the great spirits of that day was the nurse, Edith Shain, who 
was the one who was pictured on the iconic Life Magazine cover of the 
sailor coming home and kissing the nurse that we all remember as 
emblematic of the joyous spirit at the end of the war. Edith would go 
around the country talking about our great heroes. Unfortunately, 
before we could pass this bill today, she passed away at the age of 91 
a few weeks ago.
  So in her spirit, and in the spirit of all of those incredible people 
of the ``Greatest Generation,'' we offer this resolution so our country 
can always remember their bravery and courage.
  I rise in support of this resolution: H. Con. Res. 226 which supports 
the Spirit of '45, a year-long national campaign to raise public 
awareness of the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II and the 
Spirit of '45 Day.
  1945 was a defining year in the last century. Even after victory in 
Europe, our nation still faced many hard-fought battles in the Pacific 
and the decision to drop the atomic bomb. In August of that year, Japan 
surrendered, the war was over, and America joined the world to begin 
the work of peace.
  The United States started with the job of rebuilding allies and 
former enemies alike, leading the effort to form the United Nations, 
and helping millions of returning veterans begin their civilian lives 
with the G.I. Bill.
  This resolution calls on Congress to support the observance of the 
``Spirit of '45 Day.'' A national day of observance is planned for the 
second Sunday in August to ensure that future generations remember the 
inspiring courage, sacrifice, and service of what has been called the 
``greatest generation.''
  To raise awareness about this 65th anniversary, the Spirit of '45 has 
encouraged communities across the nation to hold commemorative events 
on August 14 of this year to honor the legacy of the World War II 
generation whose members are rapidly passing into history. Everyone is 
asked to collect first-hand memories of those who experienced August 
14, 1945, memories that will be preserved on a web site and shared with 
schools, libraries, museums, memorials and the public as a permanent 
reminder of a time when people came together to face common challenges 
as a united country. Many of the memories can also be provided to the 
Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress.
  We officially kicked off this year's activities at a reunion of World 
War II veterans on the USS Midway in San Diego, on January 18. We were 
joined by families, students, active duty military personnel, and 
veterans of WWII and other conflicts.
  Also joining us at that momentous event was Edith Shaht, the nurse 
who was photographed being kissed by a joyous sailor in Times Square on 
August 14, 1945. This photograph became an iconic reminder of the joy 
and enthusiasm felt by an entire generation who had sacrificed to bring 
an end to WWII, and who would take that same energy and devotion to 
rebuild in the war's aftermath.
  Edith was a devoted spokesperson for the Spirit of '45, and I am sad 
to say that Edith recently passed away on June 20, 2010, at the

[[Page 13969]]

age of 91. Although Edith is not here today to join us as we pass this 
resolution, I am pleased to know that by honoring the Spirit of '45 we 
are honoring the devotion of Edith Shain and millions of others like 
her whose dedication and actions changed the world.
  The Spirit of '45 campaign focuses on how to assure that our ``latest 
generation'' of veteran gets the kind of welcome home as did their 
forefathers of the World War II generation, through education and 
training under the newly-passed ``Post 9/11 G.I. Bill,'' employment 
opportunities, and ensuring they receive the care and support to 
reconnect with their families and communities.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the legacy and ideals 
of the Spirit of '45 by supporting this resolution.
  Mr. PETRI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 
226, to commemorate the end of World War II by observing ``Spirit of 
'45 Day.'' On August 14, 1945, the people of the United States received 
word of the long awaited end of the war. While there was celebration, 
there also was recognition of the 400,000 Americans who gave their 
lives to this effort.
  This day marks the gratitude we have for our veterans, their 
families, and their sacrifice. We reflect on the beginning of a new era 
following the war, and the rebuilding of nations with the common goal 
of developing and maintaining a more peaceful global community. We 
celebrate the strengthening of American democracy, freedom and service 
to community and country. We are proud of the unprecedented national 
effort to defeat forces of aggression.
  The achievements of the past continue to be relevant today. The World 
War II generation, often referred to as the Greatest Generation, is a 
model of courage and determination that serves as a source of 
inspiration not only for the men and women serving in Iraq, Afghanistan 
and around the world, but for civilians as well. It is important we 
recognize and honor their dedication and self-sacrifice.
  That is why as we approach the 65th anniversary of the end of World 
War II, I proudly support the observance of the second Sunday in August 
as ``Spirit of '45 Day'' to commemorate the end of World War II on 
August 14, 1945.
  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers. I urge all 
Members to support passage.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to join me 
in supporting the observance of the Spirit of '45 Day.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
226.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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