![](media/image1.jpeg){width="6.489583333333333in"
height="1.15625in"}**Legislative
Bulletin...........................................March 20, 2007**

> **Contents:**
>
> **H.Con.Res. 42** --- Honoring the heroic service and sacrifice of the
> 6,500 glider pilots of the United States Army Air Forces during World
> War II

H.Con.Res. 42 --- Honoring the heroic service and sacrifice of the 6,500
glider pilots of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II

(*McCarthy, D-NY*)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, March 20, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.Con.Res. 42 would resolve that Congress:

-   "honors the heroic service and sacrifice of the 6,500 glider pilots
    of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II; and

-   "urges the people of the Nation to remember and teach future
    generations about the contributions and sacrifices that glider
    pilots, and all veterans, have made to and for the Nation."

The resolution also states a number of findings, including the
following:

-   "the use of gliders during World War II provided an innovative
    method of transporting troops and equipment behind enemy lines;

-   "the United States Army Air Forces began training glider pilots in
    1942, eventually training approximately 6,500 men;

-   "in Operation Husky, which took place in Sicily on July 9, 1943,
    glider pilots carried British airborne troops, completing their
    mission despite heavy casualties resulting from landings at sea;

-   "in Operation Broadway, which took place in Burma on March 5, 1944,
    glider pilots took the Japanese completely by surprise; carried
    troops, airborne engineers, and equipment by night; seized and
    prepared landing strips for forthcoming transport planes; and
    evacuated the wounded, accomplishing in 2 hours what would have
    taken 2 months by ambulance;

-   "in Operation Overlord, on June 6, 1944, glider pilots took part in
    the Battle of Normandy, the largest combined airborne and seaborne
    invasion in history, carrying troopers of the 82nd and 101st
    Airborne Divisions and their equipment to landing areas behind enemy
    lines;

-   "in Operation Repulse, which took place in Bastogne on December 27,
    1944, as part of the Battle of the Bulge, glider pilots, although
    flying directly through enemy fire, were able to land every glider,
    delivering the badly needed ammunition, gasoline, and medical
    supplies that enabled defenders against the German offensive to
    persevere and secure the ultimate victory;

-   "in Operation Varsity, which took place at the Rhine crossing in
    Wesel, Germany, on March 24, 1945, more than 1,300 glider pilots
    took part in their final European mission, delivering a fatal blow
    to Axis forces; and

**[Additional Information]{.underline}:** To read more about World War
II glider pilots, please visit these two websites:
<http://www.pointvista.com/WW2GliderPilots/index.htm> and

<http://www.pointvista.com/WW2GliderPilots/index.htm>.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}:** H.Con.Res. 42 was introduced on
January 23, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Armed Services
Committee, which took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}:** The resolution authorizes no
expenditure.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}:** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}:** No.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}:** Derek V. Baker;
[derek.baker@mail.house.gov](mailto:Derek.baker@mail.house.gov);
202-226-8585

\###