[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 731 Introduced in House (IH)]







109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 731

  Commending the Patriot Guard Riders for shielding mourning military 
 families from protesters and preserving the memory of fallen service 
                          members at funerals.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 16, 2006

Mr. Moran of Kansas (for himself, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Burton 
of Indiana, Ms. Bordallo, Mr. Evans, Mr. Moore of Kansas, Mr. McCotter, 
  Mr. Tanner, Mr. Tiahrt, Mr. Boozman, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. Lewis of 
Kentucky, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Terry, Mr. Osborne, Mr. Hulshof, Mr. Shimkus, 
   Mrs. Blackburn, Mrs. Kelly, and Mr. Ryun of Kansas) submitted the 
  following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed 
                                Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Commending the Patriot Guard Riders for shielding mourning military 
 families from protesters and preserving the memory of fallen service 
                          members at funerals.

Whereas in 2005, a small group of American Legion Riders in Kansas calling 
        themselves the ``Patriot Guard'' began a movement to shield the families 
        and friends of fallen service members from interruptions by protesters 
        appearing at military funerals;
Whereas individuals from Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas later brought together 
        diverse groups of motorcycle organizations across the country who rode 
        to honor fallen service members, forming a nationwide organization known 
        as the ``Patriot Guard Riders'';
Whereas the Patriot Guard Riders have since grown into a national network of 
        tens of thousands of members, including both veterans and nonveterans 
        and riders and nonriders, and is open to anyone who shares a respect for 
        service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the Nation;
Whereas Patriot Guard Riders attend military funerals to show respect for fallen 
        service members and to shield mourning family members and friends of the 
        deceased from protestors who interrupt, or threaten to interrupt, the 
        dignity of the event;
Whereas the Patriot Guard Riders perform their mission of respect for, and 
        shielding of, mourning family members and friends at military funerals 
        by waving American flags, revving motorcycle engines, and otherwise 
        peaceably acting to serve as a buffer;
Whereas across the Nation, Patriot Guard Riders volunteer their time to come to 
        the aid of military families in need, taking lawful actions at funerals 
        to drown out the insults and hateful signs of protesters, so to allow 
        the memories of the deceased service member to be remembered with honor 
        and dignity;
Whereas regardless of one's opinion of the Nation's military commitments, the 
        families, friends, and communities of the Nation's fallen soldiers 
        deserve a peaceful time of mourning and should not be harassed and 
        caused further suffering at a funeral;
Whereas Patriot Guard Riders appear at a funeral only at the invitation of the 
        fallen soldier's family and participate in a nonviolent, legal manner; 
        and
Whereas the members of the Nation's Armed Forces willingly risk their lives to 
        protect the American way of life and the freedoms guaranteed by the 
        Constitution, including the right to freedom of speech: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives expresses its deepest 
appreciation to the Patriot Guard Riders who--
            (1) attend military funerals across the country to show 
        respect for fallen members of the Armed Forces and, when 
        needed, shield mourning family members and friends of the 
        deceased from protestors who interrupt, or threaten to 
        interrupt, the dignity of a funeral; and
            (2) in so doing and standing tall in the face of ugliness, 
        help to preserve the memory and dignity of the Nation's fallen 
        heroes.
                                 <all>