[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 24, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S5270]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 591--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL 
                      PURPLE HEART RECOGNITION DAY

  Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Mr. Manchin, Mr. Tester, Ms. Warren, Mr. 
Markey, Ms. Baldwin, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Peters, Mr. 
Boozman, Ms. Smith, Mr. Merkley, Mrs. Ernst, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Thune, Mr. 
Moran, Mr. Daines, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Young, Mr. Van Hollen, 
Mr. Nelson, Mr. Donnelly, and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 591

       Whereas, on August 7, 1782, during the Revolutionary War, 
     General George Washington established what is now known as 
     the Purple Heart Medal when he issued an order establishing 
     the Badge of Military Merit;
       Whereas the Badge of Military Merit was designed in the 
     shape of a heart in purple cloth or silk;
       Whereas, while the award of the Badge of Military Merit 
     ceased with the end of the Revolutionary War, the Purple 
     Heart Medal was authorized in 1932 as the official successor 
     decoration to the Badge of Military Merit;
       Whereas the Purple Heart Medal is the oldest United States 
     military decoration in present use;
       Whereas the Purple Heart Medal is awarded in the name of 
     the President of the United States to recognize members of 
     the Armed Forces who are killed or wounded in action against 
     an enemy of the United States or are killed or wounded while 
     held as prisoners of war;
       Whereas the Purple Heart Medal has been awarded to an 
     estimated 1,800,000 recipients; and
       Whereas August 7, 2018, is an appropriate day to celebrate 
     as National Purple Heart Recognition Day: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart 
     Recognition Day; and
       (2) encourages all people of the United States--
       (A) to learn about the history of the Purple Heart Medal;
       (B) to honor recipients of the Purple Heart Medal; and
       (C) to conduct appropriate ceremonies, activities, and 
     programs to demonstrate support for people who have been 
     awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise to speak on my resolution 
supporting the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition 
Day. I am pleased to have been joined in sponsoring this resolution by 
the senior senator from West Virginia, Senator Manchin, and 22 of our 
Senate colleagues.
  The Purple Heart's history goes as far back as the founding of our 
Nation. General George Washington established what is now known as the 
Purple Heart Medal when he issued an order establishing the Military 
Badge of Merit on August 7, 1782. General Washington wished for the 
award to be used to recognize meritorious action performed by members 
of the Continental Army, and it took the form of a purple heart.
  The Military Badge of Merit was discontinued after the Revolution and 
was not revived until 1932, when the Purple Heart medal was authorized 
as its official successor decoration. On February 22, 1932, the 200th 
Anniversary of the birth of George Washington, then-Army Chief of Staff 
General Douglas MacArthur resurrected the award, and it was re-
designated as the Purple Heart. Quite appropriately, this reestablished 
Purple Heart Medal exhibits the bust and profile of George Washington.
  It is around this time that the Purple Heart became synonymous with 
those unfortunate heroes who were killed or wounded in combat. Since 
1932, the U.S. Military has awarded more than 1.8 million Purple 
Hearts.
  Just as the Purple Heart Medal has held a special meaning to its 
millions of recipients and their families, it also has special 
significance to me and my family. My father, who died earlier this 
year, was a proud World War II veteran who was wounded twice during the 
Battle of the Bulge. He earned two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star, 
and it was from him that I first learned to honor and respect our 
veterans.
  Mr. President, the Purple Heart is a reminder that freedom is a gift 
purchased at the greatest possible price, and it is for that reason 
that I am sponsoring this resolution supporting the goals and ideals of 
National Purple Heart Recognition Day. I believe it is vitally 
important for all Americans to learn the history of this important 
military award, and to understand and honor the sacrifices of the many 
men and women in uniform who have earned the Purple Heart. I am 
grateful to all of my colleagues who have joined me in supporting this 
important resolution.

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