III 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 358 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 20, 2009 Ms. Collins (for herself and Ms. Snowe) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary December 1, 2009 Committee discharged; considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating December 12, 2009, as Wreaths Across America Day.

Whereas 18 years ago, the Wreaths Across America project began an annual tradition, during the month of December, of donating, transporting, and placing Maine balsam fir holiday wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes buried at Arlington National Cemetery; Whereas since that tradition began, through the hard work and generosity of the individuals involved in the Wreaths Across America project, hundreds of thousands of wreaths have been sent to national cemeteries and veterans memorials in every State and to locations overseas; Whereas in 2008, wreaths were sent to 372 locations across the United States, as well as 24 sites overseas; Whereas in December 2009, the Patriot Guard Riders, a motorcycle and motor vehicle group that is dedicated to patriotic events and includes more than 177,000 members nationwide, will continue their tradition of escorting a tractor-trailer filled with donated wreaths from Harrington, Maine, to Arlington National Cemetery; Whereas thousands of individuals volunteer each December to escort and lay the wreaths; Whereas, December 13, 2008, was previously designated by the Senate as Wreaths Across America Day; and Whereas the Wreaths Across America project will continue its proud legacy on December 12, 2009, bringing 15,000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery on that day: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)designates December 12, 2009, as Wreaths Across America Day; (2)honors the Wreaths Across America project, the Patriot Guard Riders, and all of the volunteers and donors involved in this worthy tradition; and (3)recognizes the sacrifices our veterans, servicemembers, and their families have made, and continue to make, for our great Nation.