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8 Dec 1941

ww2dbaseMONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1941

DECLARATION OF STATE OF WAR WITH JAPAN

The Senate having returned to its chamber (at 12 o'clock and 47 minutes p. m.), it reassembled and the Vice President resumed the chair.

Mr. BARKLEY. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

The VICE PRESIDENT. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk called the roll.

* * * * * *

The VICE PRESIDENT. Eighty-two Senators have answered to their names. A quorum is present.

Mr. CONNALLY. Mr. President, I introduce a joint resolution, and ask for its immediate consideration without reference to a committee.

The VICE PRESIDENT. The joint resolution will be read.

The joint resolution (S. J. Res. 116) declaring that a state of war exists between the Imperial Government of Japan and the Government and the people of the United States, and making provision to prosecute the same, was read the first time by its title, and the second time at length, as follows:

"Whereas the Imperial Government of Japan has committed unprovoked acts of war against the Government and the people of the United states of America:

"Therefore be it

"Resolved, etc., That the state of war between the United states and the Imperial Government of Japan which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared; and the President is hereby authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry on war against the Imperial Government of Japan; and to bring the conflict to a successful termination, all of the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United states."

* * * * * *

After debate.

The VICE PRESIDENT. The joint resolution having been read three times the question is, Shall it pass?

On that question the yeas and nays have been demanded and ordered. The clerk will call the roll.

The Chief Clerk proceeded to call the roll.

* * * * * *

The result was announced: Yeas 82, nays, 0.

So the joint resolution was passed.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1941

The Senate met at 12 o'clock noon.

* * * * * *

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

The VICE PRESIDENT. The Chair lays before the Senate a message from the President of the United States, which the clerk will read.

The Chief Clerk read as follows:

"To the Congress of the United States:

"On the morning of December 11 the Government of Germany, pursuing its course of world conquest, declared war against the United States.

"The long known and the long expected has thus taken place. The forces endeavoring to enslave the entire world now are moving toward this hemisphere.

"Never before has there been a greater challenge to life, liberty, and civilization.

"Delay invites greater danger. Rapid and united effort by all the peoples of the world who are determined to remain free will insure a world victory of the forces of justice and of righteousness over the forces of savagery and of barbarism.

"Italy also has declared war against the United States.

"I therefore request the Congress to recognize a state of war between the United States and Germany and between the United States and Italy.

"FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT.

"THE WHITE HOUSE, "December 11, 1941."

The VICE PRESIDENT. The message will be printed and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

DECLARATION OF STATE OF WAR WITH GERMANY

Mr. Connally, from the Committee on Foreign Relations, reported an original joint resolution (S. J. Res. 119) declaring that a state of war exists between the Government of Germany and the Government and the people of the United States, and making provision to prosecute the same, which was read the first time by its title, and the second time at length, as follows:

"Whereas the Government of Germany has formally declared war against the Government and the people of the United States of America: Therefore be it

"Resolved, etc., That the state of war between the United States and the Government of Germany, which has thus been thrust upon the United states, is hereby formally declared; and the President is hereby authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry on war against the Government of Germany; and, to bring the conflict to a successful termination, all of the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States."

Mr. CONNALLY. Mr. President, I shall presently ask unanimous consent for the immediate consideration of the joint resolution just read to the Senate. Before the request is submitted, however, I desire to say that, being advised of the declaration of war upon the United States by the Governments of Germany and Italy, and anticipating a message by the President of the United States in relation thereto, and after a conference with the Secretary of State, as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, I called a meeting of the committee this morning and submitted to the committee the course I expected to pursue as chairman and the request which I expected to make.

I am authorized by the Committee on Foreign Relations to say to the Senate that after consideration of the text of the joint resolution which I have reported and after mature consideration of all aspects of this matter, the membership of the Committee on Foreign Relations unanimously approve and agree to the course suggested. One member of the committee was absent, but I have authority to express his views.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent for the present consideration of the joint resolution.

The VICE PRESIDENT. Is there objection?

There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the joint resolution (S. J. Res. 119) declaring that a state of war exists between the Government of Germany and the Government and the people of the United States, and making provision to prosecute the same.

The VICE PRESIDENT. The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the joint resolution.

The joint resolution was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, and was read the third time.

The VICE PRESIDENT. The joint resolution having been read the third time, the question is, Shall it pass?

Mr. CONNALLY. On that question I ask for the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered, and the Chief Clerk proceeded to call the roll.

The result was announced yeas 88, nays 0.

* * * * * *

So the joint resolution (S. J. Res. 119) was passed.

The preamble was agreed to.

DECLARATION OF STATE OF WAR WITH ITALY

Mr. Connally, from the Committee on Foreign Relations, reported an original joint resolution (S. J. Res. 120) declaring; that a state of war exists between the Government of Italy and the Government and the people of the United States and making provision to prosecute the same, which was read the first time by its title and the second time at length, as follows:

"Whereas the Government of Italy has formally declared war against the Government and the people of the United States of America: Therefore be it

"Resolved, etc., That the state of war between the United States and the Government of Italy which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared; and the President is hereby authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry on war against the Government of Italy; and, to bring the conflict to a successful termination, all of the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States."

Mr. CONNALLY. Mr. President, with the same statement which I made earlier with regard to the Senate Joint Resolution 119 which has just been passed, I ask unanimous consent for the present consideration of Senate Joint Resolution 120.

The VICE PRESIDENT. Is there objection to the present consideration of the joint resolution?

There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the joint resolution (S. J. Res. 120) declaring that a state of war exists between the Government of Italy and the Government and the people of the United States and making provision to prosecute the same.

The VICE PRESIDENT. The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the joint resolution.

The joint resolution was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, and was read the third time.

The VICE PRESIDENT. The joint resolution having been read the third time, the question is, Shall it pass?

Mr. CONNALLY. Mr. President, on the passage of the joint resolution, I ask for the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

* * * * * *

The result was announced yeas 90, nays 0.

* * * * * *

So the joint resolution (S. J. Res. 120) was passed.

RESOLUTION OF THE REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE

Mr. MCNARY. Mr. President, yesterday I issued a call for a Republican conference. The conference was had this morning and a resolution was unanimously adopted, which I ask unanimous consent that the clerk may read.

The VICE PRESIDENT. Without objection, the resolution will be read.

The Chief Clerk read as follows:

"Resolved, That the Republican conference pledge to the President of the United States its unanimous support in the vigorous and efficient prosecution of the war."

Mr. BARKLEY. Mr. President, on my own behalf and on behalf of the majority, and I am sure on behalf of the country, I wish to assure the Senator from Oregon, as minority leader, of our deep appreciation, not only of their resolution just presented by him but of his cooperation and that of his Republican colleagues in the prosecution of this war which has been thrust upon the United States. ww2dbase

Source(s):
Yale Law School Avalon Project

Added By:
C. Peter Chen

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