COLUMBUS, Ohio – As the 70th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy approached, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman and one of his colleagues from across the aisle revived an effort to make Pres. Franklin Roosevelt’s radio address to the nation that day part of the permanent World War II Memorial in Washington.
The World War II Memorial Prayer Act of 2013, introduced by Rob Portman, a Republican and Mary Landrieu (D-La.), passed the Senate by unanimous consent on Thursday.
Men who stormed Normandy’s shore 70 years ago joined world leaders Friday in paying tribute to the 150,000 Allied troops who risked and lost their lives in the D-Day landings in Nazi-occupied France, in a day of international commemorations of history’s biggest amphibious invasion.
The legislation would direct the Secretary of the Interior to install a plaque or inscription at the National World War II Memorial honoring the prayer FDR delivered to the nation by radio on June 6, 1944.
“On D-Day, our nation mourned our men overseas who fell while combating tyranny. President Roosevelt asked us to come together to pray for these courageous heroes, and his words provided strength and comfort to a grieving nation,” Portman said.
Portman originally introduced the bill last Congress with Sen. Joe Lieberman (I- Conn.), and a companion bill, led by Ohio Congressman Bill Johnson, passed the House.
Placement of the prayer will be subject to an approval and review process.