This resolution also celebrates the completion of the National World War II Memorial here in our Nation's Capital, on the Mall between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, which will be dedicated on May 29.  Veterans who served in World War II and their families have made a tremendous sacrifice for this country, and I am proud to be involved in honoring those men and women with this memorial.

I am also proud to be from a state that has been home to many prominent members of our military, including the gentleman just described in the previous bill, Mr. Colmery, who was a Kansan, and who wrote out the GI Bill of Rights on a napkin here in Washington, D.C.  But also two that come to mind today, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, from Abilene, Kansas, and Senator Robert J. Dole of Russell, Kansas.

General Eisenhower rose quickly through the ranks of the military, and during World War II he achieved the rank of a five-star general. He served as the Commander of Allied Forces in our landing in North Africa in November of 1942, and on D-Day he served as Supreme Allied Commander of our troops that began the battle for Europe. General Eisenhower's dedication and sacrifice made a significant difference and brought about the freedoms that we enjoy today as Americans.

A soldier from Russell, Kansas, Second Lieutenant Bob Dole, also fought for freedom and served under General Eisenhower's command. Second Lieutenant Dole served in World War II in the Allied liberation of Northern Italy and was twice wounded and decorated for heroic achievements.

Both General Eisenhower and Senator Dole achieved greatness on the battlefield and in public service. Senator Dole is recognized in this resolution for his contribution in making the National World War II Memorial possible. Through his fundraising efforts as the national chairman, Senator Dole played a crucial role in raising more than $195 million in private money pledges to construct this memorial.

All in all, Kansas is proud to be home of approximately 40,000 World War II veterans, and I am honored to be here today to pay tribute to them and to recognize the contribution they made for me and my family and for all those Americans who fought for our great country.

I am honored to be serving in Congress with a number of World War II veterans, my colleagues, the gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. Ballenger; the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Dingell; the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Hall; the gentleman from New York, Mr. Houghton; the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Hyde, and the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Regula -- a group of men who fought the battles of World War II who now serve with distinction in the United States Congress. I would also like to acknowledge the gentlewoman from Ohio, Ms. Kaptur, who with her foresight and commitment over many years brought about the legislation that establishes this memorial honoring our World War II veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I put my tennis shoes on today and walked to the World War II Memorial this afternoon. It is a tremendous tribute to our Nation's veterans. If it has the impact it had upon me this afternoon, it will be a fitting memorial to those who served our country so well.

In fact, my father, another Kansan, an 89-year-old former staff sergeant from World War II, received a call from his son today, something I have never said before to my dad, “Dad, I love you.  I am proud of you.  I thank you for your service to our country.  You are to be honored as a World War II veteran at this memorial, and it means a lot to me and my family to know you and others, all who served like you, have made a difference so important to all the rest of us.”