 
Assembly Resolution No. 624
 
BY: M. of A. Stern
 
        RECOGNIZING  the  80th  Anniversary  of the End of
        World War II
 
  WHEREAS, May 8, 2025, marks the 80th anniversary  of  V-E  Day,  the
formal  end of World War II in the European Theater and August 15, 2025,
marks the 80th anniversary of V-J Day, the formal end of World War II in
the Pacific Theater; and
 
  WHEREAS, September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland  and  thus  began
World War II Britain and France responded by declaring war on Germany on
September 3; and
 
  WHEREAS,  On  December  7,  1941,  the  Japanese attacked the United
States' naval base located at Pearl Harbor  in  Hawaii  on  December  7,
1941; and
 
  WHEREAS, On December 8, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his
speech  to Congress to request war declaration stated those famous words
"Yesterday, December 7, a date which will live in infamy"; and
 
  WHEREAS, Millions of people around the globe and from all  walks  of
life  fought  in the war, suffered from its consequences, or perished in
the war; and
 
  WHEREAS, The involvement of the United State brought with it a heavy
toll in terms of the lives  of  American  citizens,  both  military  and
civilian, wounded, captured or killed; and
 
  WHEREAS, During the years of World War II in which the United States
participated,  38% percent of Americans were service members, 61.2% were
draftees, and the average duration of military service  was  33  months;
73%  served overseas with an average of 16 months abroad, and 38% of the
enlisted  personnel  had   rear   echelon   assignments   ranging   from
administrative, support, or manual labor; and
 
  WHEREAS,  407,316  Americans  were  killed  and  about 671, 278 were
wounded during the Second World War; and
 
  WHEREAS, 900,000 New Yorker served in World War II; 43,000  died  in
military service and 25,935 died in combat; and
 
  WHEREAS,  World War II was a global conflict, with fighting in every
quarter of the globe, and affecting every segment  of  society  and  the
world economy with no distinction made between combatants and civilians;
and
 
  WHEREAS,  The  United  States  of  America  took the leading role in
building the  grand  alliance  of  nations  dedicated  to  victory  over
totalitarianism  and  to  the  establishment  of a postwar international
organization dedicated to maintaining world peace and security; and
 
  WHEREAS, On May 7, 1945, at General Dwight Eisenhower's headquarters
in Reims, France, a representative of the German High Command signed the
 
document of surrender, unconditionally surrendering all  air,  land  and
sea forces to the Allies on May 8, 1945, ending the war in Europe; and
 
  WHEREAS,  On  May  8, 1945, Victory in Europe Day was proclaimed and
observed in Western Europe and Great Britain, as well as in  Canada  and
the United States, when President Truman dedicated the Allied victory to
the  memory  of  President  Franklin  D. Roosevelt who died on April 12,
1945; furthermore, the Soviet Union marked the end of the war on May  9,
1945, where the war was known as the Great Patriotic War; and
 
  WHEREAS,  V-J,  or Victory over Japan Day marks the end of World War
II; President Harry S. Truman announced on August 14,  1945,  Japan  had
surrendered unconditionally; War-weary citizens around the world erupted
in  celebration;  President  Truman said "This day is a new beginning in
the history of freedom on this earth. Our global victory has  come  from
the  courage and spirit of free men and women united in determination to
fight."; however, V-J Day would officially be celebrated in  the  United
States  on  the  day  formal  surrender documents were signed abroad the
U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945; and
 
  WHEREAS, The National World War II Memorial in Washington  D.C.  was
dedicated  on May 29, 2004, and dedicated to the legacy of "The Greatest
Generation"; and
 
  WHEREAS, The National World War II Museum,  formally  known  as  The
National  D-Day  Museum,  was  founded  in  2000;  it  was designated by
Congress as America's official National World War II Museum in 2004, and
is in New Orleans, Louisiana; and
 
  WHEREAS, The New York State World War II Memorial is located at  the
Empire  State  Plaza in Albany, New York; at the groundbreaking ceremony
in June 2001, Governor George Pataki said "This memorial will stand as a
permanent tribute to the 1.7  million  New  Yorkers  whose  heroism  and
sacrifice  helped  with the Second World War. By preserving their legacy
for future generations, we will ensure that their patriotism and bravery
are not forgotten." the memorial was dedicated in 2002; and
 
  WHEREAS, It is fitting and proper to recall the events of World  War
II  as  the  80th  anniversary of its end draws near and to remember the
sacrifices of those who fought, and honor those who died, so  that  this
nation, and the world at large, can enjoy the benefits of freedom today;
now, therefore, be it
 
  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the men and women who served our nation during  the  Second  World
War  and  to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of ending the war, both in
Europe and the Pacific; and be it further
 
  RESOLVED, That copies of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to the American Legion Department of New York, the Veterans
of Foreign Wars Department of New York, the Disabled  American  Veterans
Department  of New York, the Jewish War Veterans Department of New York,
and the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Recognizing the 80th Anniversary of the End of World War II

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