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. MCCAR-
THY, Mr. KUHL of New York, Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, Mr. BACH-
US, 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;
•HRES 195 IH 
Whereas on May 4, 1945, General George S. Patton gave the 
order for the American Third Army, consisting of 18 di-
visions 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-Czecho-
slovakia; 
Whereas on May 6, 1945, as Americans entered Pilsen, flow-
ers 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; how-
ever, 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 com-
munities 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 Gen-
eral Patton which will be unveiled on the town square on 
the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Pilsen, com-
•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
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) recognizes the 60th anniversary of the Lib-
eration of Western Bohemia in the European theater 
of operations during World War II which culminated 
in an Allied victory that assured the defeat of Nazi 
Germany and ended the War in Europe two weeks 
later; 
(2) honors those individuals who gave their lives 
during the Liberation of Western Bohemia; 
(3) encourages the President to issue a procla-
mation calling upon the people of the United States 
to honor the veterans of the Liberation of Western 
Bohemia with appropriate programs, ceremonies, 
and activities; 
(4) reaffirms the bonds of friendship between 
the United States and the brave citizens of the 
Czech Republic; and 
(5) seeks to continue building a great future be-
tween our countries.
Æ