; Whereas the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Normandy, France, is the final resting place for more than 9,000 Americans who gave their lives to the cause of liberating Europe from Nazi tyranny; Whereas the advanced age of the last remaining veterans of World War II and the Normandy landings, and the gradual disappearance of any living memory of the events, make it necessary to increase educational activities intended to impart these critical moments in history, particularly to younger generations; Whereas the significant material remains of the Normandy landings found on the Normandy beaches and at the bottom of the sea in the territorial waters of France, such as shipwrecks and various items of military equipment, bear witness to the remarkable and unique nature of the material resources used by the Allied forces to execute the Normandy landings; Whereas the 5 Normandy beaches and a number of sites on the Normandy coast, including Pointe du Hoc and various paratrooper drop zones, were the scene of the D-Day landings and constitute a unique piece of world heritage and a symbol of peace and freedom; and Whereas the world owes a debt of gratitude to the members of the Greatest Generation , who assumed the task of freeing the world from Nazi and Fascist regimes and restoring liberty in Europe: Now, therefore, be it