[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 489 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 489

  Designating December 16, 2023, as ``National Wreaths Across America 
                                 Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            December 6, 2023

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Designating December 16, 2023, as ``National Wreaths Across America 
                                 Day''.

Whereas 32 years before the date of adoption, the Wreaths Across America 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 past 32 years, more than 17,100,000 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 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; 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 2022, approximately 2,700,000 veterans' remembrance wreaths were 
        delivered to over 3,700 locations across the United States;
Whereas, in December 2023, 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 4,000 locations;
Whereas the Senate designated December 17, 2022, as ``Wreaths Across America 
        Day''; and
Whereas, on December 16, 2023, 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 16, 2023, 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 this worthy tradition; and
            (3) recognizes--
                    (A) the service of veterans and members of the 
                Armed Forces; and
                    (B) the sacrifices that veterans, their family 
                members, and members of the Armed Forces have made, and 
                continue to make, for this great Nation.
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