IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 148 

Recognizing and appreciating the historical significance and the heroic human 

endeavor and sacrifice of the people of Crete during World War II 

and commending the PanCretan Association of America. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 8, 2007 

Mrs. MALONEY of New York (for herself, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Mr. BROWN of 

South Carolina, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. RUSH, Mr. MARKEY, Ms. WATSON, 

Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. SPACE, Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida, Mr. 

MCCOTTER, and Mrs. DRAKE) submitted the following resolution; which 

was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing and appreciating the historical significance and 

the heroic human endeavor and sacrifice of the people 

of Crete during World War II and commending the 

PanCretan Association of America. 

Whereas 2007 marks the 66th anniversary of the heroic Battle of Crete, which took place on the Greek island of 

Crete during World War II between Nazi German forces 

and the people of Crete assisted by the Allied armies; 

Whereas the people of Crete fought tenaciously during the 

Battle of Crete, delaying for two months the Nazi German invasion of Russia; 


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•HRES 148 IH 

Whereas this delay forced Nazi German forces to invade Russia in the face of the brutal Russian winter, changing the 

final outcome of World War II and leading to the defeat 

of fascism; 

Whereas many historians agree that the Battle of Crete was 

one of the most significant battles of World War II; 

Whereas the Battle of Crete contributed to saving the free 

world from Nazi German occupation, thus preserving democracy, freedom, and human dignity; 

Whereas the Cretan Resistance Movement was organized to 

fight the Nazi German occupation of the island of Crete; 

Whereas for 4 years, the Cretan Resistance Movement inflicted heavy casualties upon Nazi German forces, including kidnaping a heavily-guarded Nazi German General, 

setting an example for all of the people of Europe to follow; 

Whereas the people of Crete suffered savage reprisals for 

their heroic resistance when the Nazi German invaders 

randomly executed thousands of civilians and burned and 

destroyed entire communities; 

Whereas many participants in the Battle of Crete and the 

Cretan Resistance Movement later emigrated to the 

United States and became American citizens; and 

Whereas many of these citizens became members of the 

PanCretan Association of America, an organization comprised of Greek Americans with ancestry from the island 

of Crete and committed to preserving and promoting the 

rich culture and proud history of Crete: Now, therefore, 

be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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1 (1) observes the memory of the fallen heroes of 

2 the Battle of Crete; 

3 (2) honors the living men and women of Crete 

4 who, during World War II, fought an oppressive in5 vader to preserve the ideals of freedom, democracy, 

6 and the pursuit of happiness; and 

7 (3) commends the PanCretan Association of 

8 America for preserving and promoting the history of 

9 Crete and its people. 

Æ 


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