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[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 65 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.J. Res.65

                       One Hundred Sixth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America

                          AT THE FIRST SESSION

         Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,
   the sixth day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine

                            Joint Resolution

 
  Commending the World War II veterans who fought in the Battle of the 
                     Bulge, and for other purposes.

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 soldiers and 
  other Allied forces, 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, and other Allied 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, and other Allied forces in 
  defeating the German attack made possible the defeat of Nazi Germany 
  4 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 to 
  secure their freedom, have graciously hosted countless veterans 
  groups over the years;

Whereas the City of Bastogne has an annual commemoration of the battle 
  and its annual Nuts Fair has been expanded to include commemoration 
  of the legendary one-word reply of ``Nuts'' by Brigadier General 
  Anthony McAuliffe of the 101st Airborne Division when called upon by 
  the opposing German commander at Bastogne to surrender his forces to 
  much stronger German forces;

Whereas the Belgian people erected the Mardasson Monument to honor the 
  Americans who fought in the Battle of the Bulge as well as to 
  commemorate their sacrifices and service during World War II;

Whereas the 55th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in 1999 will be 
  marked by many commemorative events by Americans, Belgians, and 
  Luxembourgers; and

Whereas the friendship between the United States and both Belgium and 
  Luxembourg is strong today in part because of 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) commends the veterans of the United States Army, the 
    British Army, and military forces of other Allied nations who 
    fought during World War II in the German Ardennes offensive known 
    as the Battle of the Bulge;
        (2) honors those who gave their lives during that battle;
        (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) calls upon the President to reaffirm the bonds of 
    friendship between the United States and both Belgium and 
    Luxembourg.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.
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