[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 54 (Monday, April 26, 2004)] [Senate] [Pages S4378-S4379] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] By Mr. CONRAD (for himself and Mr. Dorgan): S.J. Res. 34. A joint resolution designating May 29, 2004, on the occasion of the dedication of the National World War II Memorial, as Remembrance of World War II Veterans Day; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, after 17 years of hard work on the part of many individuals, especially World War II veterans, the World War II memorial will become a reality on Saturday, May 29, 2004 with a dedication ceremony in Washington, D.C. Hundreds of thousands of World War II veterans and their families are expected to attend. In recognition of this important occasion, I am introducing a Senate Joint Resolution along with my distinguished colleague, Senator Byron Dorgan, to honor our World War II veterans, their families and this dedication next month. The idea for the National World War II Memorial was first presented to Congresswomen Marcy Kaptur during a conversation with a constituent and World War II veteran, Roger Durbin in 1987. Shortly after that conversation, Congresswoman Kaptur introduced legislation to create a memorial, and Congress passed legislation authorizing the national memorial in 1993. The National World War II Memorial will pay tribute to the more than 16,112,000 veterans of all military services--Army, Army Air Corps, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine--who served in World War II between the invasion of Poland in 1939 and the surrender of Japan in 1945. Approximately 69,000 of these servicemen were from North Dakota. The memorial will acknowledge the supreme sacrifice of more than 400,000 military personnel, including 1,569 North Dakotans, who lost their lives between 1939 and 1945. As veterans and their families visit Washington over the coming weeks, many will recall the heroism and sacrifices from some of the remarkable campaigns and famous battles of World War II, including the attack on Pearl Harbor, December, 1941; the Battle of Midway, June, 1942; the Allied campaign across North Africa, November, 1942; Operation Overlord (D-Day), June 1944; the capture of Iwo Jima, February, 1945; and the Tokyo bombing raids of March, 1945. The Memorial will also have special meaning for North Dakotans as they remember the heroic efforts of the 164th Infantry Regiment of the American Division, a unit of the North Dakota Army National Guard and the [[Page S4379]] first unit of the United States Army to land on Guadalcanal in October, 1942. Some of the fiercest fighting of World War II took place in the effort to recapture the island. The Memorial will also hold special meaning for Senators and Members of Congress of the 108th Congress as we recognize and honor current members including Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Senator Ernest F. Hollings, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, Senator Ted Stevens, Senator John W. Warner, Congressman Cass Ballenger, Congressman John D. Dingell, Congressman Ralph M. Hall, Congressman Amo Houghton, Congressman Henry J. Hyde, and Congressman Ralph Regula. As we pause during the Memorial Day weekend to remember World War II veterans who served and sacrificed so much more than 59 years ago, it is my hope that Americans will honor and remember this ``Greatest Generation'' for the contributions that have enabled millions of Americans, for more than 50 years, to enjoy unparalled prosperity and the blessings of freedom. Let us also remember the ongoing sacrifices of our active duty military personnel who are currently serving in all parts of the world, but especially in Iraq and the conflict against terrorism in Afghanistan. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the joint resolution be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the joint resolution was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S.J. Res. 34 Whereas on May 29, 2004, thousands of veterans, their families, and friends will gather on the Mall in Washington, District of Columbia, to dedicate the National World War II Memorial; Whereas on that day, Americans will pay tribute to the more than 16,112,000 veterans of all military services who served in World War II between the German invasion of Poland in 1939 and the surrender by Japan on V-J Day in 1945; Whereas on that day, Americans will be reminded of the heroism and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces who were on duty during some of the critical conflicts of World War II, including the attack on Pearl Harbor of December 7, 1941, the Battle of Midway of June 6, 1942, the invasion of Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942, the Allied campaign in North Africa in November 1942, Operation Overlord (D-Day) on June 6, 1944, the capture of Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945, and the Tokyo bombing raids of March 1945; Whereas on that day, veterans and their families from North Dakota will honor the heroism and sacrifice of the approximately 69,000 North Dakota veterans who served in World War II, including 1,569 who made the ultimate sacrifice, and recognize the hardships and sacrifices of the 164th Regiment of the American Division, a unit of the North Dakota Army National Guard, who were the first unit of the United States Army to land on Guadalcanal on October 13, 1942, in the campaign to recapture that island; Whereas on that day, America will acknowledge the supreme sacrifice of the more than 400,000 Army, Army Air Corps, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine personnel who were killed in action in World War II; Whereas 12 distinguished Senators and Members of Congress serving in the 108th Congress, including Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Senator Ernest F. Hollings, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, Senator Ted Stevens, Senator John W. Warner, Congressman Cass Ballenger, Congressman John D. Dingell, Congressman Ralph M. Hall, Congressman Amo Houghton, Congressman Henry J. Hyde, and Congressman Ralph Regula, served in World War II; and Whereas World War II veterans, members of the generation known as ``the Greatest Generation'', through their sacrifice and hard work over more than 50 years, have enabled millions of Americans to enjoy unparalleled prosperity and the blessings of freedom: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That May 29, 2004, is hereby designated as Remembrance of World War II Veterans Day, and the President is urged to call upon the people of the United States to celebrate the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. ____________________