[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 1, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S12089]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA DAY

  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be 
discharged from further consideration of and the Senate now proceed to 
S. Res. 358.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 358) designating December 12, 2009, 
     as ``Wreaths Across America Day.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, 
the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon 
the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 358) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 358

       Whereas 18 years ago, the Wreaths Across America project 
     began an annual tradition, during the month of December, of 
     donating, transporting, and placing Maine balsam fir holiday 
     wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes buried at 
     Arlington National Cemetery;
       Whereas since that tradition began, through the hard work 
     and generosity of the individuals involved in the Wreaths 
     Across America project, hundreds of thousands of wreaths have 
     been sent to national cemeteries and veterans memorials in 
     every State and to locations overseas;
       Whereas in 2008, wreaths were sent to 372 locations across 
     the United States, as well as 24 sites overseas;
       Whereas in December 2009, the Patriot Guard Riders, a 
     motorcycle and motor vehicle group that is dedicated to 
     patriotic events and includes more than 177,000 members 
     nationwide, will continue their tradition of escorting a 
     tractor-trailer filled with donated wreaths from Harrington, 
     Maine, to Arlington National Cemetery;
       Whereas thousands of individuals volunteer each December to 
     escort and lay the wreaths;
       Whereas, December 13, 2008, was previously designated by 
     the Senate as ``Wreaths Across America Day''; and
       Whereas the Wreaths Across America project will continue 
     its proud legacy on December 12, 2009, bringing 15,000 
     wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery on that day: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates December 12, 2009, as ``Wreaths Across 
     America Day'';
       (2) honors the Wreaths Across America project, the Patriot 
     Guard Riders, and all of the volunteers and donors involved 
     in this worthy tradition; and
       (3) recognizes the sacrifices our veterans, servicemembers, 
     and their families have made, and continue to make, for our 
     great Nation.

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