A resolution expressing the gratitude and appreciation of the Senate for the acts of heroism and valor by the members of the United States Armed Forces who participated in the June 6, 1944, amphibious landing at Normandy, France, and commending those individuals for leadership and bravery in an operation that helped bring an end to World War II.

Bill: 118-sres-722
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR]
Introduced: 2024-06-04
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Alliances

Commemorative events and holidays

Conflicts and wars

Congressional tributes

Europe

France

Historic sites and heritage areas

Military history

Military personnel and dependents

Veterans' organizations and recognition

World history
Latest action: action_date: 2024-06-04
text: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3961; text: CR S3958-3959)

Summaries:
action_date: 2024-06-04
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>This resolution recognizes the 80th anniversary of the amphibious landing of the Allies on June 6, 1944 (i.e., D-Day), at Normandy, France, during World War II.</p>

action_date: 2024-06-04
action_desc: Passed Senate
text: <p>This resolution recognizes the 80th anniversary of the amphibious landing of the Allies on June 6, 1944 (i.e., D-Day), at Normandy, France, during World War II.</p>

tv_txt: III 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 722 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 4, 2024 Mr. Boozman (for himself, Mr. Coons , Mr. Tillis , Mr. Scott of Florida , Mr. Hoeven , Mr. Risch , Mr. Crapo , Mr. Cramer , Mr. Schmitt , Mrs. Fischer , Mr. Daines , Mr. Rubio , Mr. Wicker , Mrs. Capito , Mr. Braun , Mr. Grassley , Mr. Ricketts , Mr. Cornyn , Mr. Tuberville , Mr. Marshall , Ms. Ernst , Ms. Murkowski , Mrs. Britt , Mr. Cruz , Mr. Lankford , Mr. Thune , Mr. Cotton , Mr. Hagerty , Mr. Young , Mr. Barrasso , Ms. Collins , Mr. Moran , Mr. Kelly , Mr. Blumenthal , Mrs. Shaheen , Mr. Cardin , Mr. Durbin , Mr. King , Mr. Carper , Mr. Fetterman , Mr. Murphy , Mr. Manchin , Mr. Markey , Mr. Tester , Ms. Rosen , Ms. Cortez Masto , Mr. Booker , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Wyden , Mr. Peters , Mr. Van Hollen , Ms. Warren , Ms. Sinema , Mr. Warner , Mrs. Murray , Ms. Smith , Mr. Menendez , Ms. Hassan , Mr. Whitehouse , Mr. Reed , Ms. Duckworth , and Mr. Kaine ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Expressing the gratitude and appreciation of the Senate for the acts of heroism and valor by the members of the United States Armed Forces who participated in the June 6, 1944, amphibious landing at Normandy, France, and commending those individuals for leadership and bravery in an operation that helped bring an end to World War II.

Whereas, June 6, 2024, marks the 80th anniversary of the Allied assault at Normandy, France, by troops of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Free France, known as Operation Overlord ; Whereas, before Operation Overlord, the German Army still occupied France and the Nazi government still had access to the raw materials and industrial capacity of Western Europe; Whereas the naval phase of the Allied assault at Normandy was code-named Operation Neptune , and the date of June 6, 1944, is referred to as D-Day to denote the day on which the combat attack was initiated; Whereas the D-Day landing was the largest combined arms amphibious assault in history, consisting of— (1) approximately 132,600 members of the Allied Expeditionary Force, including 57,500 members of the United States Armed Forces; (2) more than 23,000 airborne troops supporting the seaborne landings; (3) approximately 7,000 naval vessels; and (4) more than 14,000 sorties by Allied aircraft; Whereas soldiers of 6 divisions (3 from the United States, 2 from the United Kingdom, which included troops of Free France, and 1 from Canada) and 3 British armored brigades stormed ashore in 5 main landing areas on beaches in Normandy, which were code-named Utah , Omaha , Gold , Juno , and Sword ; Whereas, of the approximately 10,000 Allied casualties incurred on the first day of the landing, more than 6,000 were members of the United States Armed Forces; Whereas the Allied assault and following operations were supported by ships, aircraft, and troops from Australia, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Free Norway, Greece, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the Polish Armed Forces in the West; Whereas the advanced age of the last remaining veterans of, and the gradual disappearance of any living memory of, World War II and the Normandy landings make it necessary to increase activities intended to pass on the history of those events, particularly to younger generations; Whereas the young people of Normandy and the United States have displayed unprecedented commitment to, and involvement in, celebrating— (1) the veterans of the Normandy landings; and (2) the freedom brought by those veterans in 1944; Whereas the significant material remains of the Normandy landings found on the Normandy beaches and at the bottom of the sea in the territorial waters of France, such as shipwrecks and various items of military equipment, bear witness to the remarkable and unique nature of the material resources used by the Allied forces to execute the Normandy landings; Whereas 5 Normandy beaches and a number of sites on the Normandy coast, including Pointe du Hoc, were the scene of the D-Day landings and constitute, and will for all time constitute— (1) a unique piece of world heritage; and (2) a symbol of peace and freedom, the unspoilt nature, integrity, and authenticity of which must be protected at all costs; and Whereas the world owes a debt of gratitude to the members of the Greatest Generation who assumed the task of freeing the world from Nazi and Fascist regimes and restoring liberty to Europe: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1) recognizes the 80th anniversary of the amphibious landing of the Allies on D-Day, June 6, 1944, at Normandy, France, during World War II; (2) expresses gratitude and appreciation to the members of the United States Armed Forces who participated in the D-Day operations; (3) thanks the young people of Normandy and the United States for their involvement in events celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings with the aim of making future generations aware of the acts of heroism and sacrifice performed by the Allied forces; (4) recognizes the efforts of France and the people of Normandy to preserve for future generations the unique world heritage represented by the Normandy beaches and the sunken material remains of the Normandy landings by inscribing those beaches and remains on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List; and (5) requests that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings with appropriate ceremonies and programs to honor the sacrifices made by their fellow countrymen to liberate Europe.