[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 36 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]

  1st Session
S. CON. RES. 36

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                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Whereas the Blue Star Service Banner was patented and designed in 1917, during 
        the height of the First World War, by Army Captain Robert L. Queissner 
        of the 5th Ohio Infantry, who had two sons serving on the front lines;
Whereas the banner quickly became the symbol for a family member serving the 
        Nation and families began proudly displaying these banners in their 
        front windows during the First World War;
Whereas each Blue Star on the banner represents a family member serving in the 
        Armed Services and symbolizes hope and pride;
Whereas beginning in 1918, the Blue Star would signify the living, and a smaller 
        Gold Star would be placed on top of the Blue Star, forming a blue 
        border, if the family member was killed or died while on active duty, to 
        symbolize his or her sacrifice for the cause of freedom;
Whereas the placement of a Gold Star on top of a Blue Star recognizes that those 
        who served together and came home, as well as their families, will 
        always remember the sacrifice of those who died and honor their 
        families;
Whereas the banners were displayed widely during the Second World War;
Whereas many of the banners displayed during the First and Second World Wars 
        were hand-made by the mothers of those serving in the Armed Forces;
Whereas the legacy of the banner continued during the Korean, Vietnam, and 
        Persian Gulf Wars and other periods of conflict, as well as in times of 
        peace;
Whereas the Blue Star Service Banner is the official banner authorized by law to 
        be displayed in honor of a family member serving the United States, 
        while the Gold Star may be displayed in honor of a family member who has 
        made the ultimate sacrifice for the Nation;
Whereas for over 85 years, families have proudly displayed the Blue Star Service 
        Banner showing service men and women the honor and pride that is taken 
        in their sacrifices for freedom;
Whereas the banner may be displayed by members of the immediate family of a 
        loved one serving in the Armed Forces, including active duty service in 
        a unit of the National Guard, Merchant Marine, or the Reserves;
Whereas the banner may be flown by families with a service member stationed 
        either domestically or overseas;
Whereas the display of the banner in the front window of a home shows a family's 
        pride in their loved one and is a reminder that preserving America's 
        freedom demands great sacrifice; and
Whereas this reminder is especially timely during the current conflict with Iraq 
        and the war on terrorism: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) calls on all Americans to honor the men and women of 
        the United States Armed Forces and their families;
            (2) honors the men and women of the United States Armed 
        Forces and their families;
            (3) encourages these families to proudly display the Blue 
        Star Service Banner or, if their loved one has made the 
        ultimate sacrifice, the Gold Star; and
            (4) calls on the media to recognize the importance of the 
        Blue Star Service Banner and its symbolism of the devotion and 
        service of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.
    Sec. 2. The authority on which this resolution rests is the 
authority of Congress to make all laws which shall be necessary and 
proper as provided in Article I, section 8 of the United States 
Constitution.

            Passed the Senate April 11, 2003.

            Attest:

                                                             Secretary.
108th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                            S. CON. RES. 36

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                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the Blue Star Service 
                       Banner and the Gold Star.