1Strongly urging <-the President Congress of the United States to
2immediately <-reopen the National World War II Memorial pass a 
3law that prohibits closing or barricading open-air Federal 
4monuments, memorials and battlefield memorial facilities that 
5honor our heroic veterans.

6WHEREAS, The National World War II Memorial was authorized in
71993; and

8WHEREAS, The National World War II Memorial is the first
9national memorial dedicated to all who served during World War
10II; and

11WHEREAS, The memorial acknowledges the commitment and
12achievement of the entire nation; and

13WHEREAS, More than 16 million who served in the United States
14Armed Forces are honored by the memorial along with the more
15than 400,000 who died in addition to the millions who supported
16the war effort from home; and

17WHEREAS, The memorial is considered a monument to the spirit,

1sacrifice and commitment of the American people; and

2WHEREAS, The American people were committed to the common
3defense of this nation and to the cause of freedom from tyranny
4throughout the world; and

5WHEREAS, The memorial inspires each generation of Americans
6and will continue to deepen their appreciation of what the World
7War II generation accomplished in securing freedom and
8democracy; and

9WHEREAS, On October 1, 2013, the Federal Government began a
10government-wide shutdown <-until further notice that lasted until 
11October 17, 2013; and

12WHEREAS, <-The During that time, the National Park Service,
13which operates and maintains the National World War II Memorial,
14shut down and barricaded the memorial; and

15WHEREAS, Many veterans and their families, including World
16War II veterans, traveled from all over the country to visit the
17memorial <-during the shutdown; and

18WHEREAS, Many of the World War II veterans who visited the
19site may never have another chance to return; and

20WHEREAS, The United States is losing hundreds of its World
21War II veterans every day and each day the memorial <-is was
22closed <-represents represented a day lost to a member of the
23greatest generation; and

24WHEREAS, The National World War II Memorial for the sake of
25honor, decency and respect, should never <-close have been closed
26for any reason; therefore be it

27RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives express its
28collective displeasure with the decision to close one of the
29most important symbols of American national unity, strength and
30courage of the free people; and be it further

1RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives strongly urge <-the 
2President of the United States to immediately reopen the 
3National World War II Memorial; and be it further

4RESOLVED, That the President of the United States immediately 
5reopen all <-the Congress of the United States to immediately pass 
6a law that prohibits closing or barricading open-air Federal
7monuments, memorials and battlefield memorial facilities that
8honor our heroic veterans; and be it further

9RESOLVED, That <-a copy copies of this resolution be
10transmitted to the President of the United States <-and to the 
11Secretary of the Interior<-, the presiding officers of each house 
12of Congress and to each member of Congress from Pennsylvania.