Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 93.djvu/368

 93 STAT. 336

PUBLIC LAW 96-45—AUG. 3, 1979 Public Law 96-45 96th Congress

Aug. 3, 1979 [H. J. Res. 373]

Joint Resolution Recognizing the anniversaries of the Warsaw uprising and the Polish resistance to the invasion of Poland during World War 11,

Whereas August 1, 1979, marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Warsaw uprising, an event of major significance in the history of World War H; Whereas on August 1, 1944, the Polish Home Army under the command of General Tedeusz Bor-Komorowski rose up against the Nazis who had begun evacuating Warsaw in the face of the Soviet advance through Eastern Europe, held major portions of the city for sixty-three days against insuperable odds, and suffered extreme hardship, retribution, and personal sacrifice throughout a heroic engagement in which approximately two hundred and fifty thousand Poles were killed, wounded, or missing; Wheresis September 1, 1979, marks the fortieth anniversary of the invasion of Poland by the Army and Air Force of the Third Reich, which was followed just sixteen days later by the Soviet invasion from the East and the subsequent occupation of a zone populated by thirteen million Poles, these events having led to the development of a strong underground movement directed by the Polish Government-in-exile; Whereas the spirit of Polish resistance to foreign oppression is sjnnbolized by these historic events and remains a vital element in the Polish national character; and Whereas, in prior years, the President has granted special recognition to these important days in Polish history, with particular regard to the crucial role of the Polish Home Army: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United Warsaw uprising States of America in Congress assembled, That the United States joins

and Polish resistance, anniversaries.

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