Commending the World War II veterans who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and for other purposes.
PL 106-142 (H.J.Res.65), enacted 12/07/1999

PUBLIC LAW 106-142—DEC. 7, 1999 
113 STAT. 1701 
Public Law 106-142 
106th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Commending the World War II veterans who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, 
Dec. 7, 1999 
and for other purposes. 
[HJ Res 65] 
Whereas the battle in the European theater of operations during 
World Wax II known as the Battle of the Bulge was fought 
from December 16,1944, to January 25,1945; 
Whereas the Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive 
in the Ardennes forest region of Belgium and Luxembourg which 
took Allied forces by surprise and was intended to split the 
Allied forces in Europe by breaking through the Allied lines, 
crippling the Allied fuel supply lines, and exacerbating tensions 
within the alliance; 
Whereas 600,000 American troops, joined by 55,000 British soldiers 
and other Allied forces, participated in the Battle of the Bulge, 
overcoming numerous disadvantages in the early days of the 
battle that included fewer numbers, treacherous terrain, and 
bitter weather conditions; 
Whereas the Battle of the Bulge resulted in 81,000 American and 
1,400 British casualties, of whom approximately 19,000 American 
and 200 British soldiers were killed, with the remainder wounded, 
captured, or listed as missing in action; 
Whereas the worst atrocity involving Americans in the European 
theater during World War II, known as the Malmedy Massacre, 
occurred on December 17, 1944, when 86 imarmed American 
prisoners of war were gunned down by elements of the German 
1st SS Panzer Division; 
Whereas Americein, British, and other Allied forces overcame great 
odds throughout the battle, including most famously the action 
of the 101st Airborne Division in holding back German forces 
at the key Belgian crossroads town of Bastogne, thereby pre-
venting German forces from achieving their main objective of 
reaching Antwerp as well as the Meuse River line; 
Whereas the success of American, British, and other Allied forces 
in defeating the German attack made possible the defeat of Nazi 
Germany 4 months later in April 1945; 
Whereas thouscinds of United States veterans of the Battle of the 
Bulge have traveled to Belgium and Luxembourg in the years 
since the battle to honor their fallen comrades who died during 
the battle; 
Whereas the peoples of Belgium and Luxembourg, s3mibolizing their 
friendship and gratitude toward the American soldiers who fought 
113 STAT. 1702 
PUBLIC LAW 106-142—DEC. 7, 1999 
to secure their freedom, have graciously hosted countless veterans 
groups over the years; 
Whereas the City of Bastogne has an annual commemoration of 
the battle and its annual Nuts Fair has been expanded to include 
commemoration of the legendary one-word reply of "Nuts" by 
Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe of the 101st Airborne Divi-
sion when called upon by the opposing German commander at 
Bastogne to surrender his forces to much stronger German forces; 
Whereas the Belgian people erected the Mardasson Monument to 
honor the Americans who fought in the Battle of the Bulge 
as well as to commemorate their sacrifices and service during 
World War II; 
Whereas the 55th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in 1999 
will be marked by msiny commemorative events by Americans, 
Belgians, and Luxembourgers; and 
Whereas the friendship between the United States and both Bel-
gium and Luxembourg is strong today in part because of the 
Battle of the Bulge: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled. That Congress— 
(1) commends the veterans of the United States Army, 
the British Army, and military forces of other Allied nations 
who fought during World War II in the German Ardennes 
offensive known as the Battle of the Bulge; 
(2) honors those who gave their lives during that battle; 
(3) authorizes the President to issue a proclamation calling 
upon the people of the United States to honor the vetersms 
of the Battle of the Bulge with appropriate programs, cere-
monies, and activities; and 
(4) calls upon the President to reaffirm the bonds of friend-
ship between the United States and both Belgium and Luxem-
bourg. 
Approved December 7, 1999. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 65: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 106-352, Pt. 1 (Comm. on Veterans' Affairs). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 145 (1999): 
Oct. 5, considered and passed House. 
Nov. 19, considered and passed Senate.