IV
105TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. RES. 17
Calling upon, and requesting that the President call upon, all Americans
to recognize and appreciate 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
JANUARY 7, 1997
Mr. KLINK (for himself, Mr. BILIRAKIS, and Mr. COYNE) submitted the fol-
lowing resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International
Relations
RESOLUTION
Calling upon, and requesting that the President call upon,
all Americans to recognize and appreciate the historical
significance and the heroic human endeavor and sacrifice
of the people of Crete during World War II, and com-
mending the PanCretan Association of America.
Whereas May 20, 1997, marks the 56th anniversary of the
heroic Battle of Crete, which took place on the Greek is-
land of Crete during World War II between Nazi German
forces and the people of Crete assisted by the Allied ar-
mies;
Whereas the people of Crete fought tenaciously during the
Battle of Crete, delaying for two months the Nazi Ger-
man invasion of Russia;
•HRES 17 IH
Whereas this delay forced Nazi German forces to invade Rus-
sia in the face of the brutal Russian winter, changing the
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 contributed to saving the free
world from Nazi German occupation, thus preserving de-
mocracy, freedom, and human dignity;
Whereas the Cretan Resistance Movement was organized 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 kidnapping 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;
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—
•HRES 17 IH
(1) calls upon all Americans to recognize and
appreciate the historical significance of the Battle of
Crete and of the Cretan Resistance Movement and
the heroic human endeavor and sacrifice of the peo-
ple of Crete during World War II;
(2) requests that the President issue a Procla-
mation calling on the people of the United States—
(A) to observe the memory of the fallen he-
roes of the Battle of Crete; and
(B) to honor the living men and women of
Crete who, during World War II, fought an op-
pressive invader to preserve the ideals of free-
dom, 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