[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 353 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 353

   Designating December 16, 2017, as ``Wreaths Across America Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            December 7, 2017

    Ms. Collins (for herself and Mr. King) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Designating December 16, 2017, as ``Wreaths Across America Day''.

Whereas, 26 years before the date of adoption of this resolution, the Wreaths 
        Across America project began with an annual tradition, which occurs in 
        December, of donating, transporting, and placing 5,000 Maine balsam fir 
        remembrance wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes buried at 
        Arlington National Cemetery;
Whereas, during the 26 years preceding the date of adoption of this resolution, 
        more than 4,517,000 wreaths have been sent to locations, including 
        national cemeteries and veterans memorials, in every State and overseas;
Whereas the mission of the Wreaths Across America project, to ``Remember, Honor, 
        Teach'', is carried out in part by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies 
        in all 50 States and overseas, including at--

    (1) Arlington National Cemetery;

    (2) veterans cemeteries; and

    (3) other locations;

Whereas the Wreaths Across America project carries out a week-long veterans 
        parade from Maine to Virginia, stopping along the way to spread a 
        message about the importance of--

    (1) remembering the fallen heroes of the United States;

    (2) honoring those who serve; and

    (3) reminding the people of the United States about the sacrifices made 
by veterans and the families of veterans to preserve freedoms in the United 
States;

Whereas, in 2016, approximately 1,200,000 remembrance wreaths were sent to more 
        than 1,220 locations across the United States and overseas, which is an 
        increase of more than 100 locations compared to the previous year;
Whereas, in December 2017, the tradition of escorting tractor-trailers filled 
        with donated wreaths from Harrington, Maine, to Arlington National 
        Cemetery will be continued by--

    (1) the Patriot Guard Riders; and

    (2) other patriotic escort units, including--

    G    (A) motorcycle units;

    G    (B) law enforcement units; and

    G    (C) first responder units;

Whereas hundreds of thousands of individuals volunteer each December to help lay 
        remembrance wreaths;
Whereas, in 2017, the trucking industry in the United States continues to 
        support the Wreaths Across America project by providing drivers, 
        equipment, and related services to assist in the transportation of 
        wreaths to more than 1,300 locations across the United States;
Whereas the Senate designated December 17, 2016, as ``Wreaths Across America 
        Day''; and
Whereas, on December 16, 2017, the Wreaths Across America project will continue 
        the proud legacy of bringing remembrance wreaths to Arlington National 
        Cemetery: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates December 16, 2017, as ``Wreaths Across 
        America Day'';
            (2) honors--
                    (A) the Wreaths Across America project;
                    (B) patriotic escort units, including--
                            (i) motorcycle units;
                            (ii) law enforcement units; and
                            (iii) first responder units;
                    (C) the trucking industry in the United States; and
                    (D) the volunteers and donors involved in this 
                worthy tradition; and
            (3) recognizes--
                    (A) the service of veterans and members of the 
                Armed Forces; and
                    (B) the sacrifices that veterans and members of the 
                Armed Forces have made, and continue to make, for the 
                United States, a great nation.
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