[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 212 (Wednesday, December 8, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S9049]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 476--DESIGNATING DECEMBER 18, 2021, AS ``NATIONAL 
                      WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA DAY''

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

                              S. Res. 476

       Whereas 30 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 veterans' 
     remembrance wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes buried 
     at Arlington National Cemetery;
       Whereas, in the 30 years preceding the date of adoption of 
     this resolution, more than 12,000,000 wreaths have been sent 
     to various locations, including national cemeteries and 
     veterans' memorials in every State and overseas;
       Whereas the mission of the Wreaths Across America project, 
     to ``Remember, Honor, and 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 memorial locations;
       Whereas the Wreaths Across America project carries out a 
     week-long veteran's 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) teaching the next generation of children about the 
     service and sacrifices made by our veterans and their 
     families to preserve freedoms enjoyed by all in the United 
     States;
       Whereas, in 2020, despite the challenges posed by the 
     ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 1,750,000 veterans' 
     remembrance wreaths were delivered to 2,557 locations across 
     the United States and overseas;
       Whereas, in December 2021, the tradition of escorting 
     tractor-trailers filled with donated wreaths from Harrington, 
     Maine, to Arlington National Cemetery will be continued by--
       (1) the Patriot Guard Riders; and
       (2) other patriotic escort units, including--
          (A) motorcycle units;
          (B) law enforcement units; and
          (C) first responder units;
       Whereas hundreds of thousands of individuals volunteer each 
     December to help lay veterans' wreaths;
       Whereas the trucking industry in the United States will 
     continue 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 
     more than 2861 locations;
       Whereas the Senate designated December 19, 2020, as 
     ``Wreaths Across America Day''; and
       Whereas, on December 18, 2021, the Wreaths Across America 
     project will continue the proud legacy of bringing veterans' 
     wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates December 18, 2021, as ``National Wreaths 
     Across America Day'';
       (2) honors--
       (A) the Wreaths Across America project;
       (B) patriotic escort units, including--
       (i) motorcycle units;
       (ii) law enforcement units; and
       (iii) 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, their family members, and 
     members of the Armed Forces have made, and continue to make, 
     for the United States, a great Nation.

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