HRES195MAY6

TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending May 6, 2005

House Resolution 195 recognizing the 60^th anniversary of Victory in Europe (V.E.) Day and the Liberation of Western Bohemia.

BRIEF

It was May 8, 1945 that Allied Forces liberated Western Bohemia and in so doing completed the successful final offensive operations of WW II leading to the Allied victory in Europe.

Sponsor: Representative Hack Kingston (R-GA-1^st)

Vote: Passed House (May 3m 2005) (RC156)

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

MORE INFORMATION

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;

Whereas on May 4, 1945, General George S. Patton gave the order for the American Third Army, consisting of 18 divisions 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-Czechoslovakia;

Whereas on May 6, 1945, as Americans entered Pilsen, flowers 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; however, 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 communities 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 General Patton which will be unveiled on the town square on the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Pilsen, commemorating 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 Liberation 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 proclamation 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 between our countries.

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