[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 719 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 719

   Designating December 15, 2018, as ``Wreaths Across America Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 11, 2018

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Designating December 15, 2018, as ``Wreaths Across America Day''.

Whereas, in 1992, the Wreaths Across America project began an annual tradition 
        of donating and transporting Maine balsam fir veterans' wreaths to 
        Arlington National Cemetery each December and placing those wreaths on 
        the graves of the fallen heroes buried at Arlington National Cemetery;
Whereas 5,000 donated veterans' wreaths were transported from Maine to Arlington 
        National Cemetery during the first year of the Wreaths Across America 
        project and placed on the graves of the fallen heroes buried at 
        Arlington National Cemetery;
Whereas, during the 27 years preceding the date of adoption of this resolution, 
        more than 6,082,300 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 memorial locations;

Whereas the Wreaths Across America project carries out a week-long veterans 
        parade between the State of Maine and the Commonwealth of 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) teaching the next generation of children about--

    G    (A) the service of veterans; and

    G    (B) the sacrifices made by veterans and the families of veterans 
to preserve the freedoms enjoyed by the people of the United States;

Whereas, in 2017, approximately 1,565,300 veterans' wreaths were delivered to 
        more than 1,422 locations across the United States and overseas, an 
        increase of more than 200 locations compared to the previous year;
Whereas, in December 2018, the tradition of escorting tractor-trailers filled 
        with donated wreaths from 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 
        veterans' wreaths;
Whereas, in 2018, the trucking industry in the United States will continue to 
        support the Wreaths Across America project by providing drivers, 
        equipment, and related services to assist in the transportation of 
        wreaths across the United States to more than 1,500 locations;
Whereas the Senate designated December 16, 2017, as ``Wreaths Across America 
        Day''; and
Whereas, on December 15, 2018, the Wreaths Across America project will continue 
        the proud legacy of bringing veterans' wreaths to Arlington National 
        Cemetery: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates December 15, 2018, 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, members of the 
                Armed Forces, and the families of veterans and members 
                of the Armed Forces have made, and continue to make, 
                for the United States, a great nation.
                                 <all>