[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 64 (Friday, May 17, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4538-S4539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 113--RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING THE 
 EFFORTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK TO DEVELOP THE NATIONAL PURPLE HEART 
     HALL OF HONOR IN NEW WINDSOR, NEW YORK, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

  Mrs. CLINTON submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Armed Services:

                            S. Con. Res. 113

       Whereas George Washington, at his headquarters in Newburgh, 
     New York, on August 7, 1782, devised the Badge of Military 
     Merit to be given to enlisted men and noncommissioned 
     officers for meritorious action;
       Whereas the Badge of Military Merit became popularly known 
     as the ``Purple Heart'' because it consisted of the figure of 
     a heart in purple cloth or silk edged with narrow lace or 
     binding and was affixed to the uniform coat over the left 
     breast;
       Whereas Badges of Military Merit were awarded during the 
     Revolutionary War by General George Washington at his 
     headquarters, in Newburgh, New York, on May 3 and June 8, 
     1783;
       Whereas the Badge of Military Merit, an award for valor in 
     the Revolutionary War, is the inspiration for today's Purple 
     Heart medal;
       Whereas on the bicentennial of General Washington's 
     birthday in February 1932, the Badge of Military Merit was 
     redesignated by General Douglas MacArthur, then Chief of 
     Staff of the Army, as the Purple Heart, to be awarded to 
     persons killed or wounded in action against an enemy of the 
     United States;
       Whereas more than 800,000 members of the Armed Forces have 
     been awarded the Purple Heart;
       Whereas the Nation, as it fights the forces of evil that 
     would undermine those democratic principles upon which the 
     Nation was founded, continues to add brave members of the 
     Armed Forces to the ranks of those who have received the 
     Purple Heart;
       Whereas the State of New York has dedicated substantial 
     resources to the creation of the National Purple Heart Hall 
     of Honor to be constructed at the New Windsor Cantonment, a 
     New York State Historic Site, in New Windsor, New York, to 
     honor those individuals who have been awarded the Purple 
     Heart and to inform and educate the people of the United 
     States about the history and importance of this distinguished 
     combat award;
       Whereas the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor will be a 
     permanent place of remembrance of the service and sacrifices 
     made by the members of the Armed Forces wounded or killed in 
     service to America from World War I through the current war 
     against terrorism, both at home and abroad; and
       Whereas as the Nation continues to defend the American way, 
     there will be a need for a distinguished place to honor those 
     who in the future are awarded the Purple Heart for their 
     service and sacrifice: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) recognizes and supports the efforts of the State of New 
     York to develop the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in 
     New Windsor, New York;
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to 
     participate in the development of the National Purple Heart 
     Hall of Honor; and

[[Page S4539]]

       (3) encourages Federal departments and agencies to 
     cooperate, assist, and participate in the development of the 
     National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.

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