IV 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 195

Recognizing the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and the 

Liberation of Western Bohemia. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 6, 2005

Mr. KINGSTON (for himself, Mr. SHIMKUS, Mr. SHUSTER, Mr. HOLDEN, Mr. 

TERRY, Ms. WATSON, Mr. MCNULTY, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mrs. MCCARTHY, Mr. KUHL of New York, Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, Mr. BACHUS, Mr. SCOTT of Georgia, Mr. SHAW, Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. 

KENNEDY of Minnesota, Mr. OTTER, Ms. HARRIS, and Mr. BROWN of 

South Carolina) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 

the Committee on International Relations 

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) 

Day and the Liberation of Western Bohemia.

Whereas the final major offensive in the European theater of 

operations during World War II, known as the Liberation 

of Western Bohemia, was fought from April 25, 1945, to 

May 8, 1945, with Victory in Europe (VE) Day declared 

on May 8, 1945; 

Whereas the Liberation of Western Bohemia was the closing 

offensive of World War II, which decisively contributed to 

the ultimate capitulation of the German Third Reich; 
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•HRES 195 IH 

Whereas on May 4, 1945, General George S. Patton gave the 

order for the American Third Army, consisting of 18 divisions and 500,000 men, to resume the Allied offensive 

into Western Bohemia; 

Whereas on May 5, 1945, the Third Army liberated the city 

of Plzen (Pilsen), the western-most city in then-Czechoslovakia; 

Whereas on May 6, 1945, as Americans entered Pilsen, flowers were strewn along the paths and into the vehicles of 

the troops, while young girls and old men and women ran 

to kiss the soldiers; 

Whereas during the communist era, Czechs celebrated their 

liberation from Nazi Germany on May 9 of each year in 

commemoration of the Soviet liberation of Prague; however, after the 1989 ‘‘Velvet Revolution’’, the date of 

commemoration was moved to May 8 of each year; 

Whereas thousands of American veterans of the Liberation of 

Western Bohemia have traveled to Pilsen in the years 

since the liberation to honor their fallen comrades; 

Whereas the people of the Czech Republic, symbolizing their 

friendship and gratitude toward the American soldiers 

who fought to secure their freedom, have graciously 

hosted countless veterans groups over the years; 

Whereas between April 25 and May 9, 2005, some 50 communities across the western part of the Czech Republic 

will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of their liberation 

by United States, Czech, and Belgian soldiers under the 

command of General Patton; 

Whereas the citizens of Pilsen will dedicate a statue of General Patton which will be unveiled on the town square on 

the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Pilsen, com-
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•HRES 195 IH 

memorating the Liberation of Western Bohemia by 

United States Armed Forces during World War II; and 

Whereas the friendship between the United States and the 

Czech Republic is strong today in part because of the 

Liberation of Western Bohemia: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) recognizes the 60th anniversary of the Lib3 eration of Western Bohemia in the European theater 

4 of operations during World War II which culminated 

5 in an Allied victory that assured the defeat of Nazi 

6 Germany and ended the War in Europe two weeks 

7 later; 

8 (2) honors those individuals who gave their lives 

9 during the Liberation of Western Bohemia; 

10 (3) encourages the President to issue a procla11 mation calling upon the people of the United States 

12 to honor the veterans of the Liberation of Western 

13 Bohemia with appropriate programs, ceremonies, 

14 and activities; 

15 (4) reaffirms the bonds of friendship between 

16 the United States and the brave citizens of the 

17 Czech Republic; and 

18 (5) seeks to continue building a great future be19 tween our countries.

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