[Mr. Smith (for himself and Ms. Mikulski) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary]
Whereas August 1, 2004, marks the 60th anniversary of the Warsaw
Uprising, when against seemingly insurmountable odds and extreme
hardships, Polish citizens revolted against the Nazi occupiers in
Warsaw, Poland, in one of the most heroic battles during World War II;
Whereas the Warsaw Uprising was a part of a nationwide resistance
against the Nazi occupation, was started by the underground Home Army,
and lasted 63 days;
Whereas the Polish resistance, many of them teenagers, while heavily
outnumbered and armed with mostly homemade weapons, fought bravely
against the German soldiers and lost approximately 250,000 civilians
and troops;
Whereas to punish Poland for the uprising, the Nazis systematically
razed 70 percent of Warsaw, including monuments, cultural treasures,
and historical buildings;
Whereas the heroism and spirit of the Polish resistance are an
inspiration to all peoples in their pursuit of liberty and democracy
and are evident today in Polish contributions to the global war
against terrorism and the more than 2,300 Polish troops currently
deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom; and
Whereas the heroic undertaking of the Polish underground represents
one of the most important contributions to the Allied war effort
during World War II and remains venerated in the Polish consciousness,
even for the generations born after it ended: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That
Congress recognizes the 60th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising during
World War II which will forever serve as a symbol of heroism in the
face of great adversity and the pursuit of freedom.
[Passed the Senate July 21, 2004] |