[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 264 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 264

    Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding Veterans Day 2003.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 11, 2003

    Mr. Frist (for himself, Mr. Daschle, Mr. Specter, Mr. Graham of 
    Florida, Mr. Bingaman, and Mr. Dorgan) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding Veterans Day 2003.

Whereas tens of millions of Americans have served in the Armed Forces of the 
        United States during the past century;
Whereas hundreds of thousands of Americans have given their lives while serving 
        in the Armed Forces of the United States during the past century;
Whereas the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women who have served in 
        the Armed Forces of the United States have been vital in maintaining our 
        freedoms and way of life;
Whereas the more than 700,000 brave Americans who have sacrificed their lives 
        while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States have ensured that 
        the Nation, which is founded on the principles of freedom, justice, and 
        democracy, shall endure;
Whereas Armistice Day was first proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 
        to commemorate the November 11, 1918, armistice between the Allies and 
        the Central Powers that ended the fighting of World War I;
Whereas on June 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law the Act 
        proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day (Public Law 83-380);
Whereas on October 8, 1954, in anticipation of the first nationwide observance 
        of Veterans Day in 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued a 
        presidential proclamation regarding that Veterans Day which states that 
        ``[o]n that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who 
        fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to 
        preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to 
        the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not 
        have been in vain'';
Whereas on November 10, 2003, President George W. Bush issued a presidential 
        proclamation regarding Veterans Day 2003 which states that ``[t]oday, 
        our veterans inspire new generations of Americans as we work to defeat 
        terrorism and advance peace. In respect for and recognition of the 
        contributions our service men and women have made to the cause of peace 
        and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 
        6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal 
        public holiday to honor veterans'';
Whereas in 2003 the Senate is in session on November 11 despite that date being 
        a public holiday to honor veterans; and
Whereas it is proper that the Senate observe the day with appropriate tributes 
        and commemorations even as it conducts the Nation's business: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate--
            (1) that the war dead of the Nation, and veterans of the 
        Armed Forces of the United States, alive or dead, are to be 
        honored for their contributions and sacrifices to preserve the 
        Nation and the principles of freedom, justice, and democracy 
        that all Americans hold dear;
            (2) that Veterans Day 2003 shall be commemorated with 
        appropriate tributes to all veterans of the Armed Forces of the 
        United States for their contributions and sacrifices, and most 
        especially to those who made the ultimate sacrifice; and
            (3) that all Americans shall be encouraged to join the 
        Senate in honoring and paying tribute to veterans of the Armed 
        Forces of the United States, both on Veterans Day and 
        throughout the year.
                                 <all>