[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 859 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>






117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 859

  Designating December 17, 2022, as ``National Wreaths Across America 
                                 Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            December 6, 2022

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Designating December 17, 2022, as ``National Wreaths Across America 
                                 Day''.

Whereas, 31 years before the date of adoption of this resolution, the Wreaths 
        Across America wreath project began with an annual tradition that occurs 
        in December, of donating, transporting, and placing 5,000 Maine balsam 
        fir veterans' remembrance wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes 
        buried at Arlington National Cemetery;
Whereas, in the 31 years preceding the date of adoption of this resolution, more 
        than 14,400,000 wreaths have been sent to various locations, including 
        national cemeteries and veterans' memorials in every State and overseas;
Whereas the mission of the Wreaths Across America project, to ``Remember, Honor, 
        and 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 States of Maine and 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 in the Armed Forces; and

    (3) teaching the next generation of children about the service and 
sacrifices made by our veterans and their families to preserve freedoms 
enjoyed by all in the United States;

Whereas, in 2021, approximately 2,400,000 veterans' remembrance wreaths were 
        delivered to 3,137 locations across the United States;
Whereas, in December 2022, 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 
        veterans' wreaths;
Whereas 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 3,400 locations;
Whereas the Senate designated December 18, 2021, as ``Wreaths Across America 
        Day''; and
Whereas, on December 17, 2022, 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 17, 2022, as ``National 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 millions of volunteers and donors involved 
                in the worthy tradition of the Wreaths Across America 
                project; 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, their family members have made, and 
                continue to make, for the United States, a great 
                Nation.
                                 <all>