[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 72 (Thursday, May 26, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S6058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 39--TO EXPRESS THE SENSE OF CONGRESS ON 
                            THE PURPLE HEART

  Mrs. CLINTON (for herself and Mr. Hagel) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed 
Services:

                            S. Con. Res. 39

       Whereas the Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration 
     in the world in present use;
       Whereas the Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the 
     President of the United States to members of the Armed Forces 
     who are wounded in conflict with an enemy force or are 
     wounded while held by an enemy force as prisoners of war, and 
     posthumously to the next of kin of members of the Armed 
     Forces who are killed in conflict with an enemy force or who 
     die of a wound received in conflict with an enemy force;
       Whereas the Purple Heart was established on August 7, 1782, 
     during the Revolutionary War, when General George Washington 
     issued an order establishing the Honorary Badge of 
     Distinction, otherwise known as the Badge of Military Merit;
       Whereas the award of the Purple Heart ceased with the end 
     of the Revolutionary War, but was revived in 1932, the 200th 
     anniversary of George Washington's birth, out of respect for 
     his memory and military achievements; and
       Whereas National Purple Heart Recognition Day is a fitting 
     tribute to George Washington and to the more than 1,535,000 
     recipients of the Purple Heart, approximately 550,000 of whom 
     are still living: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart 
     Recognition Day;
       (2) encourages all people of the United States to learn 
     about the history of the Purple Heart and to honor its 
     recipients; and
       (3) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling on the people of the United States to conduct 
     appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs to 
     demonstrate support for people who have been awarded the 
     Purple Heart.

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