[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 4235]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 12--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF A 
 NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR AND TO CELEBRATE AND HONOR THE RECIPIENTS OF 
THE MEDAL OF HONOR ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST AWARD OF THAT MEDAL 
                                IN 1863

  Mr. AKAKA (for himself, Mr. Craig, Mr. Levin, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Kerry, 
Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Webb, Mr. Brown, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Warner, 
Mr. Ensign, Mr. McCain, Mr. Salazar, and Ms. Snowe) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                            S. Con. Res. 12

       Whereas the Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in 
     action against an enemy force that can be bestowed to a 
     member of the Armed Forces, is awarded by the President, in 
     the name of Congress, to individuals who have distinguished 
     themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the 
     risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty;
       Whereas the United States will forever be in debt to the 
     recipients of the Medal of Honor for their bravery and 
     sacrifice in times of war or armed conflict;
       Whereas the first Medal of Honor awards were presented to 6 
     men on March 25, 1863, by the Secretary of War;
       Whereas only 3,443 individuals out of the millions of men 
     and women who have served the United States in war, military 
     operations, or other armed conflicts have been awarded the 
     Medal of Honor;
       Whereas there are 111 living recipients of the Medal of 
     Honor, as of January 1, 2007;
       Whereas it is appropriate to commemorate and honor the 
     recipients of the Medal of Honor and what they represent;
       Whereas the people of the United States should always be 
     aware of the significance and meaning of the Medal of Honor;
       Whereas the designation of a National Medal of Honor Day 
     would focus the efforts of national, State, and local 
     organizations striving to foster public appreciation and 
     recognition of Medal of Honor recipients; and
       Whereas March 25, 2007, would be an appropriate date to 
     observe National Medal of Honor Day: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) recognizes the heroism and sacrifice of Medal of Honor 
     recipients;
       (2) recognizes the educational opportunity that a National 
     Medal of Honor Day would present to the people of the United 
     States; and
       (3) supports the goals and ideals of a National Medal of 
     Honor Day to celebrate and honor the contributions of Medal 
     of Honor recipients.

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