[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 146 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 146

  Recognizing and supporting the efforts of the State of New York to 
  develop the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, New 
                     York, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 10, 2003

  Mrs. Kelly submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
              referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing and supporting the efforts of the State of New York to 
  develop the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, New 
                     York, and for other purposes.

Whereas George Washington, at his headquarters in Newburgh, New York, on August 
        7, 1782, devised the Badge of Military Merit to be given to enlisted men 
        and noncommissioned officers for meritorious action;
Whereas the Badge of Military Merit became popularly known as the ``Purple 
        Heart'' because it consisted of the figure of a heart in purple cloth or 
        silk edged with narrow lace or binding and was affixed to the uniform 
        coat over the left breast;
Whereas Badges of Military Merit were awarded during the Revolutionary War by 
        General George Washington at his headquarters, in Newburgh, New York, on 
        May 3 and June 8, 1783;
Whereas the Badge of Military Merit, an award for valor in the Revolutionary 
        War, is the inspiration for today's Purple Heart medal;
Whereas on the bicentennial of General Washington's birthday in February 1932, 
        the Badge of Military Merit was redesignated by General Douglas 
        MacArthur, then Chief of Staff of the Army, as the Purple Heart, to be 
        awarded to persons killed or wounded in action against an enemy of the 
        United States;
Whereas more than 800,000 members of the Armed Forces have been awarded the 
        Purple Heart;
Whereas the Nation, as it fights the forces of evil that would undermine those 
        democratic principles upon which the Nation was founded, continues to 
        add brave members of the Armed Forces to the ranks of those who have 
        received the Purple Heart;
Whereas the State of New York has dedicated substantial resources to the 
        creation of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor to be constructed at 
        the New Windsor Cantonment, a New York State Historic Site, in New 
        Windsor, New York, to honor those individuals who have been awarded the 
        Purple Heart and to inform and educate the people of the United States 
        about the history and importance of this distinguished combat award;
Whereas the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor will be a permanent place of 
        remembrance of the service and sacrifices made by the members of the 
        Armed Forces wounded or killed in service to America from World War I 
        through the current war against terrorism, both at home and abroad; and
Whereas as the Nation continues to defend the American Way, there will be a need 
        for a distinguished place to honor those who in the future are awarded 
        the Purple Heart for their service and sacrifice: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) recognizes and supports the efforts of the State of New 
        York to develop the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New 
        Windsor, New York;
            (2) encourages the people of the United States to 
        participate in the development of the National Purple Heart 
        Hall of Honor; and
            (3) encourages Federal departments and agencies to 
        cooperate, assist, and participate in the development of the 
        National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.
                                 <all>