1Strongly urging the President of the United States to
2immediately reopen the National World War II Memorial.

3WHEREAS, The National World War II Memorial was authorized in
41993; and

5WHEREAS, The National World War II Memorial is the first
6national memorial dedicated to all who served during World War
7II; and

8WHEREAS, The memorial acknowledges the commitment and
9achievement of the entire nation; and

10WHEREAS, More than 16 million who served in the United States
11Armed Forces are honored by the memorial along with the more
12than 400,000 who died in addition to the millions who supported
13the war effort from home; and

14WHEREAS, The memorial is considered a monument to the spirit,
15sacrifice and commitment of the American people; and

16WHEREAS, The American people were committed to the common

1defense of this nation and to the cause of freedom from tyranny
2throughout the world; and

3WHEREAS, The memorial inspires each generation of Americans
4and will continue to deepen their appreciation of what the World
5War II generation accomplished in securing freedom and
6democracy; and

7WHEREAS, On October 1, 2013, the Federal Government began a
8government-wide shutdown until further notice; and

9WHEREAS, The National Park Service, which operates and
10maintains the National World War II Memorial, shut down and
11barricaded the memorial; and

12WHEREAS, Many veterans and their families, including World
13War II veterans, traveled from all over the country to visit the
14memorial; and

15WHEREAS, Many of the World War II veterans who visited the
16site may never have another chance to return; and

17WHEREAS, The United States is losing hundreds of its World
18War II veterans every day and each day the memorial is closed
19represents a day lost to a member of the greatest generation;
20and

21WHEREAS, The National World War II Memorial for the sake of
22honor, decency and respect, should never close for any reason;
23therefore be it

24RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives express its
25collective displeasure with the decision to close one of the
26most important symbols of American national unity, strength and
27courage of the free people; and be it further

28RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives strongly urge the
29President of the United States to immediately reopen the
30National World War II Memorial; and be it further

1RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
2the President of the United States and to the Secretary of the
3Interior.