[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 117 (Tuesday, September 19, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H6702-H6704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING EFFORTS OF STATE OF NEW YORK TO DEVELOP
NATIONAL PURPLE HEART HALL OF HONOR
Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 419) 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, as
amended.
The Clerk read as follows
H. Con. Res. 419
Whereas George Washington, at his headquarters in Newburgh,
New York, on August 7, 1782, devised a 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;
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Whereas the Badge of Military Merit, an award for military
merit 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 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 that 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 throughout the Nation's history, 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 House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress--
(1) recognizes and supports the efforts of the State of New
York to develop and maintain the National Purple Heart Hall
of Honor 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 that distinguished combat award; and
(2) encourages the people of the United States as well as
Federal departments and agencies to cooperate, assist, and
participate in educating and informing individuals about the
history and importance of the Purple Heart and about the
National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Minnesota (Mr. Kline) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota.
General Leave
Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have
5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on
the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Minnesota?
There was no objection.
Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 419,
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.
Mr. Speaker, let me first take just a moment to thank my colleague
and good friend, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Kelly), and the
State of New York for establishing a place for Americans to come and
honor those men and women of our military who have sacrificed so much
for America. They are the individuals who fight for us, who sweat for
us, who bleed for us, and, sadly and unfortunately, sometimes who die
for us.
The Purple Heart is a unique symbol that recognizes the sacrifices
made by the men and women of the Armed Forces, sacrifices made for the
freedoms this great country offers, freedoms not just for themselves,
but for future generations of Americans.
It is only fitting that we have a place such as the National Purple
Heart Hall of Honor to honor those men and women so that future
generations can go there and learn about those fine young Americans who
have ensured that we can all live free.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. SKELTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent
Resolution 419, which recognizes the efforts of the State of New York
to establish the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.
And, I recognize the gentlewoman from New York, Mrs. Sue Kelly, the
sponsor of this measure for her efforts. One might wonder why the state
of New York is leading the effort to establish a center that focuses on
the history and importance of this honored military award. The reason
is simple, in the summer of 1782, during the Revolutionary War; General
George Washington devised two new badges, one of which was the Badge of
Military Merit, which we know today as the Purple Heart.
General Washington at the time wrote ``. . . whenever any singularly
meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to
wear on his facings over the left breast, the figure of a heart in
purple cloth, or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding.'' Three
soldiers are known to have received the original honor badge, Sergeant
Daniel Bissell of the 2nd Connecticut Regiment of the Continental Line,
Sergeant William Brown of the 5th Connectivity Regiment of the
Continental Line, and Sergeant Elijah Churchill of the 2nd Continental
Dragoons, also a Connecticut regiment. However, after the Revolution,
the award feels into disuse and was not proposed for use again until
after World War I.
In 1927, Army Chief of Staff General Charles P. Summerall directed
that proposed legislation be sent to Congress to revive the Badge of
Military Merit. However, it was not until 1931, when General
Summerall's successor, General Douglas MacArthur pushed forward the
idea to reinstitute the badge. It was on the 200th anniversary of
George Washington's birth, February 22, 1932, that the War Department
announced General Order No. 3, which established the Purple Heart.
In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt extended the award to the
Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, and established a uniform
application of standards in the Army and Navy. President Harry S.
Truman retroactively extended the eligibility for the Navy, Marine
Corps, and Coast Guard back to April 5, 1917, and in 1962, President
John F. Kennedy extended eligibility to any ``civilian national of the
United States, who while serving under competent authority in any
capacity with an armed force . . ., has been, or may hereafter be,
wounded'' to qualify for the Purple Heart.
Mr. Speaker, the Purple Heart has an illustrious career and it is
recognition of the enemy-related injuries a service member sustains.
Today, there are more than 800,000 members of the Armed Forces who have
been awarded the Purple Heart. The State of New York has been working
to establish a National Purple Heart Hall of Honor at the New Windsor
Cantonment in New Windsor, New York to provide a permanent place of
remembrance of the service and sacrifices made by men and women in
uniform throughout our nation's history. This resolution before us
recognizes the efforts of the State of New York, and encourages the
education and information on the history and importance of this
distinguished combat award.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Kelly).
Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to encourage my colleagues to join me
in honoring the extraordinary sacrifices made by American's veterans by
voting ``yes'' on H. Con. Res 419.
This resolution supports the establishment of a National Purple Heart
Hall of Honor in the birthplace of the Purple Heart in New Windsor, New
York. The Purple Heart is the oldest and one of the most prestigious
honors bestowed upon an American soldier. By passing this legislation
today, we recognize the sacrifices of the brave men and women who have
received this honor.
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor will uniquely highlight the
stories of the Purple Heart veterans. Every Purple Heart veteran is a
hero whose story needs to be hold. By hearing these stories we can
fully honor their sacrifices and learn from their experiences. The
stories will echo within the halls of the National Purple Heart Hall of
Honor, and they should inspire our Nation not only to preserve the
legacy of our military heroes, but to better appreciate the freedoms
for which they fought.
The Hall of Honor is scheduled to be officially dedicated November
10. It will be located at New Windsor Cantonment, the site in my
congressional district. This is the site of the last encampment of the
Continental Army, where General George Washington first presented the
Badge of Military Merit in 1782. Since then more than 800,000 members
of the Armed Forces have been awarded this medal, which is now called
the Purple Heart. It is an honor reserved for those soldiers who are
wounded or killed while defending the greatest of our principles,
freedom.
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New York State has done a great deal to make the National Purple
Heart Hall of Honor a reality. Governor George Pataki and Bernadette
Castro, our State's park and recreation preservation commissioner, led
the effort. Our State's senator, Senator Bill Larkin, a retired
lieutenant colonel with 23 years of Active Duty in the United States
Army, has been a true champion in working on siting the Purple Heart
Hall of Honor in New Windsor.
I am also grateful for the efforts of the military personnel
subcommittee chairman, John McHugh of New York, who helped bring this
legislation to the floor today.
I want to thank especially Rick Weeks, the State commander of the New
York Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. The Military
Order contributed $500,000 toward the construction of the Hall of
Honor.
I will insert this letter of support from the National Military Order
of the Purple Heart in the Record.
Commander Weeks was also instrumental in gathering support for this
resolution. I thank him very much.
While the Hall of Honor is in New York, it is important to remember
it is a national institution that will celebrate the sacrifices of
soldiers and veterans who have lived in all areas of our country.
Passage of this resolution today, as our troops are courageously
fighting overseas to defend and preserve democracy, will send a strong
message to our Armed Forces and our veterans that our Nation is
grateful and continues to be grateful for the sacrifices made by our
military men and women.
Military Order of
the Purple Heart,
Springfield, VA, August 1, 2006.
Chairman Duncan Hunter,
House Armed Services Committee,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Military Order of the Purple Heart
(MOPH) is in total support of H. Con. Res. 419, which has
been referred to your committee. This resolution recognizes
and encourages support for the National Purple Heart Hall of
Honor. This Hall of Honor, while located in New York, is
really a national effort and one that will recognize and
honor all our country's men and women who have been
recipients of the Purple Heart Medal for their death or
wounds received in combat.
MOPH urges you and your colleagues on the committee to
support this very worthwhile endeavor in a timely manner.
Respectfully,
James D. Randles,
National Commander.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I fully endorse, and I know Members in this
Chamber do, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support
H. Con. Res. 419, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res 419, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as
amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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