[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 69 (Monday, May 23, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5804-S5805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 153--EXPRESSING THE SUPPORT OF CONGRESS FOR THE 
OBSERVATION OF THE NATIONAL MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE AT 3:00 PM LOCAL TIME 
 ON THIS AND EVERY MEMORIAL DAY TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SACRIFICES MADE ON 
          THE BEHALF OF ALL AMERICANS FOR THE CAUSE OF LIBERTY

  Mr. LIEBERMAN (for himself and Mr. Sessions) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 153

       Whereas Americans have been formally recognizing the 
     sacrifice of those who gave their lives in the service of 
     their country since 1868 when General John A. Logan, 
     Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, designated May 
     30 as Decoration Day;
       Whereas those early commemorations encouraged Americans to 
     decorate the graves of war dead with flowers so that, as 
     General Logan stated, ``We should guard their graves with 
     sacred vigilance . . . Let pleasant paths invite the coming 
     and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no 
     neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the 
     coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the 
     cost of a free and undivided republic.'';
       Whereas in these times of challenge, when Americans have 
     once again answered the call to defend freedom, it is as 
     important as ever that all Americans take time to honor those 
     brave men and women who throughout our Nation's history have 
     given their lives in the cause of liberty;
       Whereas in 2000, President Clinton signed into law ``The 
     National Moment of Remembrance Act'' to encourage Americans 
     to pause at 3:00 pm local time on Memorial Day for a minute 
     of silence to remember and honor those who have died in the 
     service of their Nation; and
       Whereas the National Moment of Remembrance brings the 
     country together in unity of purpose, to honor the sacrifice 
     of those who have died for their Nation, and to rededicate 
     all Americans to the original spirit of Decoration Day: Now, 
     therefore, be it

[[Page S5805]]

       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) reaffirms its support for the National Moment of 
     Remembrance at 3:00 pm on Memorial Day, created to honor the 
     men and women of the United States who died in the pursuit of 
     freedom and peace; and
       (2) urges the people of the United States to observe the 
     National Moment of Remembrance this Memorial Day so that the 
     sacrifices of those who have died are not forgotten and that, 
     as President Abraham Lincoln said, ``The mystic chords of 
     memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave 
     to every living heart . . . should swell into a mighty chorus 
     of remembrance, gratitude and rededication . . .''.
  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a Resolution 
with my good friend, Senator Jeff Sessions. Our resolution reaffirms 
the Senate's support for a National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m. 
on Memorial Day, and calls upon all Americans to observe the National 
Moment of Remembrance this Memorial Day.
  Memorial Day is a holiday unique in the world and distinctly American 
in spirit.
  On Memorial Day we honor no single man or woman--no general or 
admiral--but generations of Americans who selflessly answered their 
Nation's call to defend not national boundaries but a noble cause.
  On Memorial Day we pay homage not to a single battle or war, but to 
the enduring struggle for freedom that stretches from Bunker Hill to 
Baghdad.
  In these challenging times, when we hear almost daily of American 
servicemen and women who have sacrificed their lives to defend this 
great Nation, it is especially important that all Americans take a 
moment on Memorial Day to honor all these fallen heroes who throughout 
our history have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy the 
freedoms we have today.
  Many may not be aware, but Americans began formally recognizing the 
sacrifice of those who had given their lives in the service of their 
country in 1868 when General John A. Logan, Commander of the Grand Army 
of the Republic, designated May 30 as Decoration Day.
  The first large observance was held that year in Arlington National 
Cemetery.
  Those early commemorations encouraged Americans to decorate the 
graves of war dead with flowers. The goal of this, as General Logan 
eloquently put it, was that ``We should guard their graves with sacred 
vigilance. . . Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of 
reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of 
time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have 
forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.''
  Through Decoration Day, General Logan began a noble tradition that we 
carry forward to this day.
  We in Congress recently sought to reinforce that tradition and 
encourage all Americans to not lose sight of the meaning of Memorial 
Day, as Decoration Day has been known since 1971.
  In 2000 we passed and the President signed the ``National Moment of 
Remembrance Act'' which encouraged all Americans to pause wherever they 
are at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a moment of silence to 
remember and honor those who have died in service to their country.
  Since we passed that legislation, we have seen our Nation attacked.
  Once again our fighting men and women have responded to the call to 
defend their Nation. They have done so magnificently. Their courage and 
valor are inspiring and are important reminders that we must continue 
to support those that fight, and honor those who have fallen.
  We honor our heroes who founded and preserved our Nation and have 
since carried the torch of freedom into corners of the world where 
people huddled under tyranny's dark shadows.
  We honor these heroes with the words of President Abraham Lincoln in 
our heart when he said: ``The mystic chords of memory, stretching from 
every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart . . should 
swell into a mighty chorus of remembrance, gratitude and 
rededication.''

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