[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 178 (Friday, December 9, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S7038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 639--DESIGNATING DECEMBER 17, 2016, AS ``WREATHS 
                          ACROSS AMERICA DAY''

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

                              S. Res. 639

       Whereas, 25 years before the date of adoption of this 
     resolution, the Wreaths Across America project began with an 
     annual tradition that occurs in December, of donating, 
     transporting, and placing 5,000 Maine balsam fir remembrance 
     wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes buried at 
     Arlington National Cemetery;
       Whereas, in the 25 years preceding the date of adoption of 
     this resolution, more than 3,317,000 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 in all 50 States and 
     overseas, including at--
       (1) Arlington National Cemetery;
       (2) veterans cemeteries; and
       (3) other locations;
       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--
       (1) remembering the fallen heroes of the United States;
       (2) honoring those who serve; and
       (3) reminding the people of the United States about the 
     sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve 
     freedoms in the United States;
       Whereas, in 2015, approximately 901,000 remembrance wreaths 
     were sent to more than 1,100 locations across the United 
     States and overseas, an increase of more than 100 locations 
     compared to the previous year;
       Whereas, in December 2016, the tradition of escorting 
     tractor-trailers filled with donated wreaths from Maine to 
     Arlington National Cemetery will be continued by--
       (1) the Patriot Guard Riders; and
       (2) other patriotic escort units, including motorcycle 
     units, law enforcement units, and first responder units;
       Whereas hundreds of thousands of individuals volunteer each 
     December to help lay remembrance wreaths;
       Whereas the trucking industry in the United States 
     continues to support the Wreaths Across America project by 
     providing drivers, equipment, and related services to assist 
     in the transportation of wreaths across the United States to 
     over 1,200 locations;
       Whereas the Senate designated December 12, 2015, as 
     ``Wreaths Across America Day''; and
       Whereas, on December 17, 2016, the Wreaths Across America 
     project will continue the proud legacy of bringing 
     remembrance wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates December 17, 2016, as ``Wreaths Across 
     America Day'';
       (2) honors--
       (A) the Wreaths Across America project;
       (B) patriotic escort units, including motorcycle units, law 
     enforcement units, and first responder units;
       (C) the trucking industry in the United States; and
       (D) the volunteers and donors involved in this worthy 
     tradition; and
       (3) recognizes--
       (A) the service of veterans and members of the Armed 
     Forces; and
       (B) the sacrifices that veterans, members of the Armed 
     Forces, and their families have made, and continue to make, 
     for the United States, a great Nation.

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