[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15405]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  COMMENDING THE PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary 
Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 535 and 
the Senate then proceed to its consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 535) commending the Patriot Guard 
     Riders for shielding mourning military families from 
     protesters and preserving the memory of fallen service 
     members at funerals.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the resolution 
be printed in the Record, without further intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 535) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 535

       Whereas in 2005, a small group of American Legion Riders in 
     Kansas calling themselves the ``Patriot Guard'' began a 
     movement to shield the families and friends of fallen service 
     members from interruptions by protesters appearing at 
     military funerals;
       Whereas individuals from Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas 
     later brought together diverse groups of motorcycle 
     organizations across the country who rode to honor fallen 
     service members, forming an organization known as the 
     ``Patriot Guard Riders'';
       Whereas the Patriot Guard Riders have since grown into a 
     nationwide network, including both veterans and nonveterans 
     and riders and nonriders, and is open to anyone who shares a 
     respect for service members who have made the ultimate 
     sacrifice for the Nation;
       Whereas Patriot Guard Riders attend military funerals to 
     show respect for fallen service members and to shield 
     mourning family members and friends of the deceased from 
     protestors who interrupt, or threaten to interrupt, the 
     dignity of the event;
       Whereas across the Nation, Patriot Guard Riders volunteer 
     their time to come to the aid of military families in need, 
     so as to allow the memories of the deceased service member to 
     be remembered with honor and dignity;
       Whereas regardless of one's opinion of the Nation's 
     military commitments, the families, friends, and communities 
     of the Nation's fallen soldiers deserve a peaceful time of 
     mourning and should not be harassed and caused further 
     suffering at a funeral;
       Whereas Patriot Guard Riders appear at a funeral only at 
     the invitation of the fallen soldier's family and participate 
     in a nonviolent, legal manner; and
       Whereas the members of the Nation's Armed Forces willingly 
     risk their lives to protect the American way of life and the 
     freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Senate expresses its deepest 
     appreciation to the Patriot Guard Riders who--
       (1) attend military funerals across the country to show 
     respect for fallen members of the Armed Forces and, when 
     needed, shield mourning family members and friends of the 
     deceased from protestors who interrupt, or threaten to 
     interrupt, the dignity of a funeral; and
       (2) in so doing, help to preserve the memory and honor of 
     the Nation's fallen heroes.

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