IV 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 253 
Expressing gratitude and appreciation for the entry of the United States 
into World War I. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 6, 2017 
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. KEATING, Mr. SCHIFF, and 
Mr. LATTA) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on 
Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speak-
er, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the ju-
risdiction of the committee concerned 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing gratitude and appreciation for the entry of the 
United States into World War I. 
Whereas, on April 2, 1917, President Thomas Woodrow Wil-
son asked Congress to convene an extraordinary session 
to officially declare war on the Imperial German Govern-
ment; 
Whereas, on April 4, 1917, the Senate passed a joint resolu-
tion that declared a formal state of war between the 
United States and the Imperial German Government; 
Whereas, on April 6, 1917, the House of Representatives 
adopted the same joint resolution that the Senate had 
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passed, thereby marking the official entry of the United 
States into World War I; 
Whereas, consequently, April 6, 2017, marks the 100th anni-
versary of the entry of the United States into World War 
I beside France, Russia, and the United Kingdom, the 
countries of the Triple Entente; 
Whereas, on December 7, 1917, the United States declared 
war on the Austro-Hungarian Empire; 
Whereas, beginning in August 1914— 
(1) a portion of France was occupied by German 
forces; and 
(2) France fought— 
(A) beside the United Kingdom and all coun-
tries of the British Empire (notably, Australia, New 
Zealand, Canada, and South Africa), Belgium, Rus-
sia, Italy, and Portugal; 
(B) on land, at sea, and in the air; 
(C) along a front line of more than 460 miles; 
and 
(D) to recover full sovereignty; 
Whereas, before April 6, 1917, the United States had sup-
ported France and the Allies economically, financially, 
and with human support, including through 3,600 indi-
viduals who served as volunteers, ambulance attendants, 
nurses, philanthropists, and soldiers in the French For-
eign Legion; 
Whereas the expeditionary force of the United States was 
created on May 3, 1917, under the command of General 
John J. Pershing, to provide military support to France 
and the Allies; 
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Whereas the United States started huge mobilization efforts 
after Congress passed the Act entitled ‘‘An Act to au-
thorize the President to increase temporarily the Military 
Establishment of the United States’’, approved May 18, 
1917 (50 U.S.C. App. 201 et seq.), thereby introducing 
military conscription and enabling 4,800,000 individuals 
from the United States to serve during World War I; 
Whereas the first forces of the expeditionary corps led by 
General Pershing arrived quickly in France; 
Whereas General Pershing landed in Boulogne-sur-Mer on 
June 13, 1917, 14,750 members of the First Infantry 
Division landed in Saint-Nazaire on June 26, 1917, and 
7,500 soldiers landed in Brest on November 12, 1917; 
Whereas members of the Armed Forces were involved in a 
considerable logistics effort in France, building many 
transportation infrastructure projects, including roads, 
harbors, and railways, communications networks, and ac-
commodation buildings, which were crucial for the war 
effort and the transformation of the French landscape; 
Whereas a debt of gratitude is owed to the 3 members of the 
Armed Forces who fell in France during the first combat 
of the Armed Forces in Bathele´mont-le`s-Bauzemont on 
November 3, 1917; 
Whereas individuals from many different sectors of the 
United States population, including African Americans, 
Hispanics, and Native Americans, were involved in logis-
tics, support, or combat in France in 1917 and 1918; 
Whereas President Thomas Woodrow Wilson was deeply in-
volved in the peace process in Europe, notably through 
his speech to Congress on January 8, 1918, the 14 points 
of which were proposed as a basis for negotiation at the 
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Versailles Peace Conference, which started on January 
18, 1919; 
Whereas approximately 2,000,000 members of the Armed 
Forces fought in France and 126,000 died during the 
war, including 53,402 individuals who were killed in ac-
tion in French territory during battles in 1918, such as 
the Battle of Belleau Wood, the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, 
and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive; 
Whereas numerous reminders of the actions of the Armed 
Forces during World War I remain in France, notably in 
buildings and memorials; and 
Whereas the people of France will always be grateful when 
remembering the sacrifices of members of the Armed 
Forces during World War I: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes the 100th anniversary of the offi-
cial entry of the United States into World War I on 
April 6, 1917; 
(2) expresses its gratitude and appreciation 
to— 
(A) the members of the Armed Forces who 
participated in World War I operations along-
side the countries of the Triple Entente; and 
(B) the members of the Allied Forces who 
participated in World War I operations along-
side France from 1914 until the end of the war; 
(3) commends centenary commemorations to 
honor people from France, the United States, and 
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all countries involved in World War I that aim to 
make future generations aware of the acts of her-
oism and sacrifice performed by the Armed Forces 
and the Allies; 
(4) recognizes efforts undertaken by France, es-
pecially by port cities on the Atlantic coast and by 
the regions of Hauts-de-France, Bretagne, Loire- 
Atlantique, Aquitaine, Centre, and Grand-Est, to 
preserve the memory and celebrate the legacy of the 
involvement of the United States during World War 
I; 
(5) recognizes that the people of France plan— 
(A) to celebrate this anniversary with com-
memorations and relevant programs to express 
gratitude to those individuals who helped re-
store hope among the Allies; and 
(B) during the celebration of the 100th an-
niversary of the Armistice of November 11, 
1918, to express gratitude and appreciation to 
every— 
(i) military force that fought alongside 
France, inside or outside its territory, dur-
ing World War I; and 
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(ii) individuals who died fighting or 
was injured during the hostilities, whether 
physically or psychologically; and 
(6) encourages all countries involved in World 
War I to participate in the centennial of the Armi-
stice to the fullest extent possible. 
Æ 
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