[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 57 (Wednesday, April 21, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H2752-H2753]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SILVER STAR SERVICE BANNER DAY
Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 855) expressing support for designation of May
1 as ``Silver Star Service Banner Day''.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 855
Whereas the House of Representatives has always honored the
sacrifices made by the wounded and ill members of the Armed
Forces;
Whereas the Silver Star Service Banner has come to
represent the members of the Armed Forces and veterans who
were wounded or became ill in combat in the wars fought by
the United States;
Whereas the Silver Star Families of America was formed to
help the American people remember the sacrifices made by the
wounded and ill members of the Armed Forces by designing and
manufacturing Silver Star Service Banners and Flags for that
purpose;
Whereas the sole mission of the Silver Star Families of
America is to evoke memories of the sacrifices of members and
veterans of the Armed Forces on behalf of the United States
through the presence of a Silver Star Service Banner in a
window or a Silver Star Flag flying;
Whereas the sacrifices of members and veterans of the Armed
Forces on behalf of the United States should never be
forgotten; and
Whereas May 1 would be an appropriate date to designate as
``Silver Star Service Banner Day'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the
designation of ``Silver Star Service Banner Day'' and calls
upon the people of the United States to observe the day with
appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Speier) and the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake) will
each control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. SPEIER. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 855, a bill supporting
Silver Star Service Banner Day. H. Res. 855 was introduced by my
colleague, the gentleman from Missouri, Representative Roy Blunt, on
October 22, 2009. The measure was referred to the Committee on
Oversight and Government
[[Page H2753]]
Reform, which reported it favorably by unanimous consent on April 14 of
this year. The measure enjoys the support of over 50 cosponsors.
Madam Speaker, our Nation continues to face two long and difficult
wars, and I am very glad that we can take time now to honor the men and
women of our Armed Services. They deserve our thoughts, our prayers,
and our support.
The Silver Star Families of America understand this well and work
hard to help the American people recognize the sacrifices made by the
wounded and ill members of the Armed Forces. Tens of thousands of
American troops are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, risking their
lives in service to our country. They also risk their lives in
deployments throughout the world. I ask my colleagues to join me in
giving thanks to them and to their families for the sacrifices they
continue to make and for their service to our country.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FLAKE. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt).
Mr. BLUNT. I thank the gentleman from Arizona for yielding time.
Madam Speaker, I thank the committee for reporting this resolution to
the floor. I want to recognize, along with my other colleagues, the
Silver Star Families of America. This bill does that. It designates the
1st of May as Silver Star Service Banner Day.
Silver Star Families of America is not only reflective of all the
families that have helped, but it is also a nonprofit organization that
has been formed dedicated to supporting and assisting those whose
families have earned the Silver Star, those who have been wounded,
those who have become ill in a combat zone, recognizing those members
of the Armed Forces and their families across all branches of the
services, and Madam Speaker, for all wars.
This group was founded in Missouri's Seventh Congressional District
in 2004. The Silver Star Flag and the Silver Star Banner are symbols of
remembrance and honor for those wounded during battle, those who
incurred an illness during battle, and those who have honorably served
in the Armed Forces during that moment of sacrifice, and a sacrifice
that is almost always shared by their family and their loved ones.
{time} 1345
Thousands of cities and counties throughout the country have issued
proclamations to set aside May 1 to honor our current troops, our
veterans and their families, as well as Silver Star families and Gold
Star families.
Last April, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike
Mullen, recognized Silver Star families of America for their support of
servicemembers and those who have earned the Silver Star.
Madam Speaker, I thank the committee for bringing this to the floor.
I ask my colleagues to join me in support of House Resolution 855
which, of course, is a resolution in support of those service people
and their families who have earned this recognition, who show this
banner, who understand the implications of the Silver Star flag and the
Silver Star banner.
Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I now yield 3 minutes to the gentleman
from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), the great leader.
Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, as an original cosponsor, I rise today in
support of H. Res. 855, a resolution that expresses our Nation's
appreciation for the sacrifices that have been made by so many
dedicated servicemen and -women who've worn the uniform of the United
States.
It's no small thing to raise one's hand and swear to uphold and
defend the Constitution of the United States, and it's the
responsibility of every American to recognize that servicemembers who
have been wounded or become ill in the line of duty have paid an
especially high price for our freedoms.
I make it a point to visit servicemembers who are recovering at
Walter Reed, and I know so many of my colleagues do just the same.
Oftentimes, a spouse or a parent is there lending support and anxious
to take their loved one home. I'm humbled by the strength and character
of these servicemembers and their caregivers.
The Silver Star Families of America deserves recognition for the
tremendous job its members do in reminding us of the debt of gratitude
our Nation owes to wounded and ill servicemembers, veterans, and their
families. By supporting the designation of May 1 as Silver Star Service
Banner Day, Members of the House add the collective voice to this body
of good works.
I thank my colleague and my friend, Roy Blunt, for introducing this
resolution.
Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FLAKE. If the gentlelady has no additional speakers, I'm prepared
to close.
Madam Speaker, it's important for us to take a moment to extend our
gratitude to our loved ones who have endured the grief of losing loved
ones, those brave soldiers in the battlefield who become wounded or
sick. And I thank the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt) for his
comments. We're all grateful for the Silver Star Families of America,
for their devotion, dedication to keeping us all aware of the
sacrifices made by the wounded and ill members of the armed services.
I ask all Members to support this resolution supporting Silver Star
Service Banner Day.
I rise today in support of House Resolution 855, expressing support
for the designation of May 1st as `Silver Star Service Banner Day'.
Recognizing all of our service members throughout the year is our
privilege and designating May 1, 2010 as Silver Star Service Banner Day
is an additional way to honor the wounded and ill members of our Armed
Forces.
The Silver Star Families of America, a non-profit organization, is
dedicated to keeping the memories of these hero's sacrifices in the
hearts and minds of all of us through the presence of a Silver Star
displayed in a window or the Service Flag flying for all to see.
It is important for us to take a moment to extend our gratitude to
their loved ones who have endured the grief of losing a loved one or
the difficulty of caring for these brave soldiers as the Silver Star
Families do.
Those who have been wounded or have died are members of the Army,
Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. They deserve our
continued gratitude for all that they have given on our behalf. To this
end, the Silver Star Service Banner has come to represent their
bravery.
We are grateful to the Silver Star Families of America for their
devotion and dedication to keeping all of us aware of the sacrifices
made by the wounded and ill members of the Armed Forces, therefore, I
ask all members to join me in supporting May 1, 2010 as Silver Star
Service Banner Day.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I had the privilege, and I call it a
privilege, earlier this year to travel to Kuwait, Yemen, Pakistan,
Afghanistan, and then to Germany, where I had the privilege of meeting
our troops who are committed, passionate, have an incredible love of
country, and then to visit those wounded warriors at our facility in
Germany. And I must say that there's nothing like having that
interpersonal connection, that opportunity to make us realize the
extraordinary sacrifices that are being made every single day.
So it is fitting that we have this resolution before us, and I urge
all my colleagues to support this measure.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 855, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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