103D CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. J. RES. 388
JOINT RESOLUTION
Recognizing the anniversaries of the Warsaw uprising and
the Polish resistance to the invasion of Poland during
World War II.
Whereas August 1, 1994, marks the 50th anniversary of the
Warsaw uprising, an event of major significance in the
history of World War II;
Whereas on August 1, 1944, the Polish Home Army, under
the command of General Tedeusz Bor-Komorowski, rose
up against the Nazis who had begun evacuating Warsaw
in the face of the Soviet advance through Eastern Eu-
rope, held major portions of the city for 63 days against
insuperable odds, and suffered extreme hardship, retribu-
tion, and personal sacrifice throughout a heroic engage-
ment in which approximately 250,000 Poles were killed,
wounded, or missing;
•HJ 388 EH
Whereas in reprisal for this uprising, 70 percent of the city
of Warsaw was systematically demolished under the di-
rect orders of Adolf Hitler;
Whereas September 1, 1994, marks the 55th anniversary of
the invasion of Poland by the Army and Air Force of the
Third Reich, which was followed just 16 days later by the
Soviet invasion from the east and the subsequent occupa-
tion of a zone populated by 13,000,000 Poles, these
events having led to the development of a strong under-
ground movement directed by the Polish Government in
exile;
Whereas the 3 wartime leaders of the Polish Home Army—
Lieutenant General Stefan Rowecki who was murdered
by the Gestapo in 1944, Lieutenant General Bor-
Komorowski who was imprisoned by the Nazis and died
in London in 1966, and Major General Leopold Okulicki
who was imprisoned by the Soviets and perished in a So-
viet jail in 1945—symbolize the supreme personal sac-
rifice and commitment to the cause of freedom and self-
determination;
Whereas Warsaw was and continues to be the center of na-
tional life, culture, and religion for Poland;
Whereas the spirit of Polish resistance to foreign oppression
and domination is symbolized by these historic events and
remains a vital element in the Polish national character;
and
Whereas President Clinton during his July 7, 1994, visit to
Warsaw paid special tribute to these important days in
Polish history, including the crucial role of the Polish
Home Army in the allied war effort, and to the leaders
of the Polish Home Army: Now, therefore, be it
•HJ 388 EH
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That the United States recognizes the anniversary of the
Warsaw uprising, which stands as a poignant reminder to
the world of the power of the human spirit over adversity,
and the anniversary of the Polish resistance to the inva-
sion of Poland during World War II and the leaders of
that resistance, which symbolizes the currently continuing
struggle of the Polish people and freedom loving people
everywhere in the preservation of their liberties and in the
fulfillment of their national aspirations.
Passed the House of Representatives July 25, 1994.
Attest:
Clerk.
103D CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. J. RES. 388
JOINT RESOLUTION
Recognizing the anniversaries of the Warsaw upris-
ing and the Polish resistance to the invasion of
Poland during World War II.