[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 201 (Wednesday, December 6, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5811-S5812]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 489--DESIGNATING DECEMBER 16, 2023, 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. 489

       Whereas 32 years before the date of adoption, 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 past 32 years, more than 17,100,000 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 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) 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 2022, approximately 2,700,000 veterans' 
     remembrance wreaths were delivered to over 3,700 locations 
     across the United States;
       Whereas, in December 2023, 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 4,000 locations;
       Whereas the Senate designated December 17, 2022, as 
     ``Wreaths Across America Day''; and
       Whereas, on December 16, 2023, 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--

[[Page S5812]]

       (1) designates December 16, 2023, 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 millions of 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 this great Nation.

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