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

1WHEREAS, The American people were committed to the common
2defense of this nation and to the cause of freedom from tyranny
3throughout the world; and

4WHEREAS, The memorial inspires each generation of Americans
5and will continue to deepen their appreciation of what the World
6War II generation accomplished in securing freedom and
7democracy; and

8WHEREAS, On October 1, 2013, the Federal Government began a
9government-wide shutdown until further notice; and

10WHEREAS, The National Park Service, which operates and
11maintains the National World War II Memorial, shut down and
12barricaded the memorial; and

13WHEREAS, Many veterans and their families, including World
14War II veterans, traveled from all over the country to visit the
15memorial; and

16WHEREAS, Many of the World War II veterans who visited the
17site may never have another chance to return; and

18WHEREAS, The United States is losing hundreds of its World
19War II veterans every day and each day the memorial is closed
20represents a day lost to a member of the greatest generation;
21and

22WHEREAS, The National World War II Memorial for the sake of
23honor, decency and respect, should never close for any reason;
24therefore be it

25RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives express its
26collective displeasure with the decision to close one of the
27most important symbols of American national unity, strength and
28courage of the free people; and be it further

29RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives strongly urge the
30President of the United States to immediately reopen the

1National World War II Memorial; and be it further

<-2RESOLVED, That the President of the United States immediately
3reopen all Federal monuments, memorials and battlefield memorial
4facilities that honor our heroic veterans; and be it further

5RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
6the President of the United States and to the Secretary of the
7Interior.