[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 5]
[House]
[Pages 5999-6000]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     SILVER STAR SERVICE BANNER DAY

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 855) expressing support for designation of May 
1 as ``Silver Star Service Banner Day''.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 855

       Whereas the House of Representatives has always honored the 
     sacrifices made by the wounded and ill members of the Armed 
     Forces;
       Whereas the Silver Star Service Banner has come to 
     represent the members of the Armed Forces and veterans who 
     were wounded or became ill in combat in the wars fought by 
     the United States;
       Whereas the Silver Star Families of America was formed to 
     help the American people remember the sacrifices made by the 
     wounded and ill members of the Armed Forces by designing and 
     manufacturing Silver Star Service Banners and Flags for that 
     purpose;
       Whereas the sole mission of the Silver Star Families of 
     America is to evoke memories of the sacrifices of members and 
     veterans of the Armed Forces on behalf of the United States 
     through the presence of a Silver Star Service Banner in a 
     window or a Silver Star Flag flying;
       Whereas the sacrifices of members and veterans of the Armed 
     Forces on behalf of the United States should never be 
     forgotten; and
       Whereas May 1 would be an appropriate date to designate as 
     ``Silver Star Service Banner Day'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the 
     designation of ``Silver Star Service Banner Day'' and calls 
     upon the people of the United States to observe the day with 
     appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Speier) and the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake) will 
each control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. SPEIER. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 855, a bill supporting 
Silver Star Service Banner Day. H. Res. 855 was introduced by my 
colleague, the gentleman from Missouri, Representative Roy Blunt, on 
October 22, 2009. The measure was referred to the Committee on 
Oversight and Government Reform, which reported it favorably by 
unanimous consent on April 14 of this year. The measure enjoys the 
support of over 50 cosponsors.
  Madam Speaker, our Nation continues to face two long and difficult 
wars, and I am very glad that we can take time now to honor the men and 
women of our Armed Services. They deserve our thoughts, our prayers, 
and our support.
  The Silver Star Families of America understand this well and work 
hard to help the American people recognize the sacrifices made by the 
wounded and ill members of the Armed Forces. Tens of thousands of 
American troops are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, risking their 
lives in service to our country. They also risk their lives in 
deployments throughout the world. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
giving thanks to them and to their families for the sacrifices they 
continue to make and for their service to our country.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FLAKE. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt).
  Mr. BLUNT. I thank the gentleman from Arizona for yielding time.
  Madam Speaker, I thank the committee for reporting this resolution to 
the floor. I want to recognize, along with my other colleagues, the 
Silver Star Families of America. This bill does that. It designates the 
1st of May as Silver Star Service Banner Day.
  Silver Star Families of America is not only reflective of all the 
families that have helped, but it is also a nonprofit organization that 
has been formed dedicated to supporting and assisting those whose 
families have earned the Silver Star, those who have been wounded, 
those who have become ill in a combat zone, recognizing those members 
of the Armed Forces and their families across all branches of the 
services, and Madam Speaker, for all wars.
  This group was founded in Missouri's Seventh Congressional District 
in 2004. The Silver Star Flag and the Silver Star Banner are symbols of 
remembrance and honor for those wounded during battle, those who 
incurred an illness during battle, and those who have honorably served 
in the Armed Forces during that moment of sacrifice, and a sacrifice 
that is almost always shared by their family and their loved ones.

                              {time}  1345

  Thousands of cities and counties throughout the country have issued 
proclamations to set aside May 1 to honor our current troops, our 
veterans and their families, as well as Silver Star families and Gold 
Star families.
  Last April, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike 
Mullen, recognized Silver Star families of America for their support of 
servicemembers and those who have earned the Silver Star.
  Madam Speaker, I thank the committee for bringing this to the floor. 
I ask my colleagues to join me in support of House Resolution 855 
which, of course, is a resolution in support of those service people 
and their families who have earned this recognition, who show this 
banner, who understand the implications of the Silver Star flag and the 
Silver Star banner.
  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I now yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), the great leader.
  Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, as an original cosponsor, I rise today in 
support of H. Res. 855, a resolution that expresses our Nation's 
appreciation for the sacrifices that have been made by so many 
dedicated servicemen and -women who've worn the uniform of the United 
States.
  It's no small thing to raise one's hand and swear to uphold and 
defend the Constitution of the United States, and it's the 
responsibility of every American to recognize that servicemembers who 
have been wounded or become ill in the line of duty have paid an 
especially high price for our freedoms.
  I make it a point to visit servicemembers who are recovering at 
Walter Reed, and I know so many of my colleagues do just the same. 
Oftentimes, a spouse or a parent is there lending support and anxious 
to take their loved one home. I'm humbled by the strength and character 
of these servicemembers and their caregivers.
  The Silver Star Families of America deserves recognition for the 
tremendous job its members do in reminding us of the debt of gratitude 
our Nation owes to wounded and ill servicemembers, veterans, and their 
families. By supporting the designation of May 1 as Silver Star Service 
Banner Day, Members of the House add the collective voice to this body 
of good works.
  I thank my colleague and my friend, Roy Blunt, for introducing this 
resolution.
  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FLAKE. If the gentlelady has no additional speakers, I'm prepared 
to close.
  Madam Speaker, it's important for us to take a moment to extend our 
gratitude to our loved ones who have endured the grief of losing loved 
ones, those brave soldiers in the battlefield who become wounded or 
sick. And I thank the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt) for his 
comments. We're all grateful for the Silver Star Families of America, 
for their devotion, dedication to keeping us all aware of

[[Page 6000]]

the sacrifices made by the wounded and ill members of the armed 
services.
  I ask all Members to support this resolution supporting Silver Star 
Service Banner Day.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 855, expressing support 
for the designation of May 1st as `Silver Star Service Banner Day'.
  Recognizing all of our service members throughout the year is our 
privilege and designating May 1, 2010 as Silver Star Service Banner Day 
is an additional way to honor the wounded and ill members of our Armed 
Forces.
  The Silver Star Families of America, a non-profit organization, is 
dedicated to keeping the memories of these hero's sacrifices in the 
hearts and minds of all of us through the presence of a Silver Star 
displayed in a window or the Service Flag flying for all to see.
  It is important for us to take a moment to extend our gratitude to 
their loved ones who have endured the grief of losing a loved one or 
the difficulty of caring for these brave soldiers as the Silver Star 
Families do.
  Those who have been wounded or have died are members of the Army, 
Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. They deserve our 
continued gratitude for all that they have given on our behalf. To this 
end, the Silver Star Service Banner has come to represent their 
bravery.
  We are grateful to the Silver Star Families of America for their 
devotion and dedication to keeping all of us aware of the sacrifices 
made by the wounded and ill members of the Armed Forces, therefore, I 
ask all members to join me in supporting May 1, 2010 as Silver Star 
Service Banner Day.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I had the privilege, and I call it a 
privilege, earlier this year to travel to Kuwait, Yemen, Pakistan, 
Afghanistan, and then to Germany, where I had the privilege of meeting 
our troops who are committed, passionate, have an incredible love of 
country, and then to visit those wounded warriors at our facility in 
Germany. And I must say that there's nothing like having that 
interpersonal connection, that opportunity to make us realize the 
extraordinary sacrifices that are being made every single day.
  So it is fitting that we have this resolution before us, and I urge 
all my colleagues to support this measure.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 855.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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