IV 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 179 
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 
MARCH 17, 2011 
Mrs. MALONEY (for herself, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. GRIMM, Ms. 
TSONGAS, and Mr. SARBANES) 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 2011 marks the 70th anniversary of the heroic Bat-
tle 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 Ger-
man invasion of Russia; 
Whereas this delay forced Nazi German forces to invade Rus-
sia in the face of the brutal Russian winter, changing the 
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•HRES 179 IH 
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 involved the first primarily air-
borne military invasion in history; 
Whereas the Battle of Crete contributed to saving the free 
world from Nazi German occupation, thus preserving de-
mocracy, freedom, and human dignity; 
Whereas the Battle of Crete was the first time the Allied 
forces utilized intelligence from the deciphered Nazi 
Enigma code; 
Whereas the Battle of Crete was the first time invading Nazi 
troops encountered mass resistance from a civilian popu-
lation, and as a result of the heavy casualties suffered by 
the parachutists, Hitler forbade any similar future large 
scale airborne operations; 
Whereas the Cretan Resistance Movement was organized fol-
lowing the invasion to fight the Nazi German occupation 
of the island of Crete; 
Whereas for 4 years, the Cretan Resistance Movement in-
flicted heavy casualties upon Nazi German forces, includ-
ing kidnaping a heavily guarded Nazi German General, 
setting an example for all of the people of Europe to fol-
low; 
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; 
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•HRES 179 IH 
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 com-
prised 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 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) observes the memory of the fallen heroes of 
the Battle of Crete; 
(2) honors the living men and women of Crete 
who, during World War II, fought an oppressive in-
vader to preserve the ideals of freedom, democracy, 
and the pursuit of happiness; and 
(3) commends the PanCretan Association of 
America for preserving and promoting the history of 
Crete and its people. 
Æ 
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