[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 16589-16590]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA DAY

  Mrs. HAGAN. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the 
consideration of S. Res. 611, which was submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. 611) designating December 15, 2012, as 
     ``Wreaths Across America Day.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mrs. HAGAN. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, 
the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon 
the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

[[Page 16590]]

  The resolution (S. Res. 611) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 611

       Whereas, 21 years ago, the Wreaths Across America project 
     began an annual tradition, during the month of December, of 
     donating, transporting, and placing Maine balsam fir holiday 
     wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes buried at 
     Arlington National Cemetery;
       Whereas, since that tradition began, through the hard work 
     and generosity of the individuals involved in the Wreaths 
     Across America project, more than 350,000 wreaths have been 
     sent to more than 800 locations, including national 
     cemeteries and veterans memorials in every State, and to 
     locations overseas;
       Whereas the mission of the Wreaths Across America project 
     to ``Remember, Honor, Teach'' is carried out in part by 
     coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National 
     Cemetery as well as veterans cemeteries and other locations 
     in all 50 States;
       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 remembering the fallen heroes of the United 
     States, honoring those who serve, and teaching the people of 
     the United States about the sacrifices made by veterans and 
     their families to preserve our freedoms;
       Whereas, in 2011, wreaths were sent to more than 700 
     locations across the United States and overseas, 180 more 
     locations than the previous year;
       Whereas, in December 2012, the Patriot Guard Riders, a 
     motorcycle and motor vehicle group that is dedicated to 
     patriotic events and includes more than 250,000 members 
     nationwide, will continue their tradition of escorting a 
     tractor-trailer filled with donated wreaths from Harrington, 
     Maine, to Arlington National Cemetery;
       Whereas thousands of individuals volunteer each December to 
     escort and lay the wreaths;
       Whereas December 10, 2011, was previously designated by the 
     Senate as ``Wreaths Across America Day''; and
       Whereas the Wreaths Across America project will continue 
     its proud legacy on December 15, 2012, bringing approximately 
     125,000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery on that day: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates December 15, 2012, as ``Wreaths Across 
     America Day'';
       (2) honors the Wreaths Across America project, the Patriot 
     Guard Riders, and all of the volunteers and donors involved 
     in this worthy tradition; and
       (3) recognizes the sacrifices our veterans, members of the 
     Armed Forces, and their families have made, and continue to 
     make, for our great Nation.

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