[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 118, 108th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

118 STAT. 2611

Public Law 108-432
108th Congress

Joint Resolution


 
Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge during World
War II. NOTE: Dec. 3, 2004 -  [H.J. Res. 110]

Whereas the battle in the European theater of operations during World
War II known as the Battle of the Bulge was fought from December 16,
1944, to January 25, 1945;

Whereas the Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive in the
Ardennes forest region of Belgium and Luxembourg which took Allied
forces by surprise and was intended to split the Allied forces in
Europe by breaking through the Allied lines, crippling the Allied
fuel supply lines, and exacerbating tensions within the alliance;

Whereas 600,000 American troops, joined by 55,000 British, Belgian,
Canadian, and other soldiers, participated in the Battle of the
Bulge, overcoming numerous disadvantages in the early days of the
battle that included fewer numbers, treacherous terrain, and bitter
weather conditions;

Whereas the Battle of the Bulge resulted in 81,000 American and 1,400
British casualties, of whom approximately 19,000 American and 200
British soldiers were killed, with the remainder wounded, captured,
or listed as missing in action;

Whereas the worst atrocity involving Americans in the European theater
during World War II, known as the Malmedy Massacre, occurred on
December 17, 1944, when 86 unarmed American prisoners of war were
gunned down by elements of the German 1st SS Panzer Division;

Whereas American, British, Belgian, Canadian, and other forces overcame
great odds throughout the battle, including most famously the action
of the 101st Airborne Division in holding back German forces at the
key Belgian crossroads town of Bastogne, thereby preventing German
forces from achieving their main objective of reaching Antwerp as
well as the Meuse River line;

Whereas the success of American, British, Belgian, Canadian, and other
forces in defeating the German attack made possible the defeat of
Nazi Germany four months later in April 1945;

Whereas thousands of United States veterans of the Battle of the Bulge
have traveled to Belgium and Luxembourg in the years since the
battle to honor their fallen comrades who died during the battle;

Whereas the peoples of Belgium and Luxembourg, symbolizing their
friendship and gratitude toward the American soldiers who fought

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118 STAT. 2612

to secure their freedom, have graciously hosted countless veterans
groups over the years;

Whereas Luxembourg has erected over 90 monuments and plaques
commemorating the liberation of Luxembourg by United States Armed
Forces during World War II;

Whereas the 60th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in 2004 will be
marked by many commemorative events by citizens of the United
States, Belgium, Luxembourg, and many other nations;

Whereas the friendship between the United States and both Belgium and
Luxembourg is strong today in part because of the Battle of the
Bulge; and

Whereas section 204 of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2002 (38 U.S.C. 2409
note) authorized the Secretary of the Army to place in Arlington
National Cemetery a memorial marker honoring those who fought in the
Battle of the Bulge: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress--
(1) recognizes the 60th anniversary of the battle in the
European theater of operations during World War II known as the
Battle of the Bulge, which began with a German surprise attack
in the Ardennes forest region of Belgium and Luxembourg and
ended with an Allied victory that made possible the defeat of
Nazi Germany four months later;
(2) honors those who gave their lives during the Battle of
the Bulge;
(3) authorizes the President to issue a proclamation calling
upon the people of the United States to honor the veterans of
the Battle of the Bulge with appropriate programs, ceremonies,
and activities; and
(4) reaffirms the bonds of friendship between the United
States and both Belgium and Luxembourg.

Approved December 3, 2004.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.J. Res. 110:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 150 (2004):
Nov. 16, considered and passed House.
Nov. 19, considered and passed Senate.