Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res 1251, which recognizes and honors the United States troops who fought and died on D-day at the Battle of Normandy.

On June 6, 1944, the Western Allies landed in Northern France and opened up a major military offensive against the Nazi German forces.  After 5 years of worldwide warfare, the Normandy invasion proved to be a critical turning point in pushing the United States and its allied forces to victory. D-day remains one of the greatest beach landings in world history, involving nearly 3 million troops crossing the English Channel from England to Normandy in occupied France. The collective cost to the United States was terribly high, including more than 29,000 killed and 106,000 wounded and missing.

As a Member of Congress and the daughter of a World War II veteran, I believe I have a duty to honor the men and women who courageously served our country and gave their lives at the Battle of Normandy.  Earlier this summer, I had the privilege of visiting the Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum during a congressional delegation and was able to get an up-close look at the strength and resilience of the Americans who served in the United States armed forces during the invasion of Normandy.  Our country owes all veterans of this conflict a great debt for their service.