[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 175 (Wednesday, December 11, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S8811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 320--DESIGNATING DECEMBER 14, 2013, AS ``WREATHS 
                          ACROSS AMERICA DAY''

  Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Mr. King) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 320

       Whereas 22 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 more than 1,000,000 wreaths have been sent to 
     locations, including national cemeteries and veterans 
     memorials, in every State and overseas;
       Whereas the mission of the Wreaths Across America project 
     to ``Remember, Honor, Teach'' is carried out in part by 
     coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National 
     Cemetery as well as veterans cemeteries and other locations 
     in all 50 States;
       Whereas the Wreaths Across America project carries out a 
     week-long veterans parade between Maine and Virginia, 
     stopping along the way to spread a message about the 
     importance of remembering the fallen heroes of the United 
     States, honoring those who serve, and teaching the people of 
     the United States about the sacrifices made by veterans and 
     their families to preserve the freedoms in the United States;
       Whereas in 2012, wreaths were sent to more than 800 
     locations across the United States and overseas, 100 more 
     locations than the previous year;
       Whereas in December 2013, the Patriot Guard Riders, a 
     motorcycle and motor vehicle group that is dedicated to 
     patriotic events and includes more than 250,000 members 
     nationwide, will continue the tradition of the group 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 15, 2012, was previously designated by the 
     Senate as ``Wreaths Across America Day''; and
       Whereas the Wreaths Across America project will continue 
     the proud legacy on December 14, 2013, bringing approximately 
     130,000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery on that day: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates December 14, 2013, 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 that our veterans, members of 
     the Armed Forces, and their families have made, and continue 
     to make, for our great Nation.

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