[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 39 Referred in House (RFH)]


109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. CON. RES. 39


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 29, 2005

              Referred to the Committee on Armed Services

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                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
         To express the sense of Congress on the Purple Heart.

Whereas the Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in the world in 
        present use;
Whereas the Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United 
        States to members of the Armed Forces who are wounded in conflict with 
        an enemy force or are wounded while held by an enemy force as prisoners 
        of war, and posthumously to the next of kin of members of the Armed 
        Forces who are killed in conflict with an enemy force or who die of a 
        wound received in conflict with an enemy force;
Whereas the Purple Heart was established on August 7, 1782, during the 
        Revolutionary War, when General George Washington issued an order 
        establishing the Honorary Badge of Distinction, otherwise known as the 
        Badge of Military Merit;
Whereas the award of the Purple Heart ceased with the end of the Revolutionary 
        War, but was revived in 1932, the 200th anniversary of George 
        Washington's birth, out of respect for his memory and military 
        achievements; and
Whereas National Purple Heart Recognition Day is a fitting tribute to George 
        Washington and to the more than 1,535,000 recipients of the Purple 
        Heart, approximately 550,000 of whom are still living: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart 
        Recognition Day;
            (2) encourages all people of the United States to learn 
        about the history of the Purple Heart and to honor its 
        recipients; and
            (3) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
        calling on the people of the United States to conduct 
        appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs to demonstrate 
        support for people who have been awarded the Purple Heart.

            Passed the Senate July 28, 2005.

            Attest:

                                             EMILY J. REYNOLDS,

                                                             Secretary.