[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16578]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 593--DESIGNATING DECEMBER 13, 2014, AS ``WREATHS 
                          ACROSS AMERICA DAY''

  Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Mr. King) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 593

       Whereas 23 years ago, the Wreaths Across America project 
     began an annual tradition of donating, transporting, and 
     placing Maine balsam fir remembrance wreaths on the graves of 
     our fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery during the 
     month of December;
       Whereas more than 1,700,000 wreaths have been sent to 
     locations, including national cemeteries and veterans 
     memorials, in every State and 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 and overseas;
       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 freedom in the United States;
       Whereas in 2013, remembrance wreaths were sent to more than 
     900 locations across the United States and overseas, 100 more 
     locations than the previous year;
       Whereas in December 2014, the Patriot Guard Riders, along 
     with other patriotic groups, will continue the tradition of 
     escorting tractor-trailers filled with donated wreaths from 
     Harrington, Maine, to Arlington National Cemetery;
       Whereas the Nation's trucking industry continues to support 
     Wreaths Across America by providing drivers, equipment, and 
     related services to assist in the transportation of wreaths 
     to over 1,000 locations across the country;
       Whereas thousands of individuals volunteer each December to 
     lay remembrance wreaths;
       Whereas 2014 is the 150th Anniversary of Arlington National 
     Cemetery, where some 230,000 markers stand in honor of those 
     who have served this country;
       Whereas this year, it is the aspiration of Wreaths Across 
     America to lay a wreath at the grave of every veteran buried 
     at Arlington National Cemetery;
       Whereas December 14, 2013, was previously designated by the 
     Senate as ``Wreaths Across America Day''; and
       Whereas on December 13, 2014, the Wreaths Across America 
     project will continue the proud legacy of bringing 
     remembrance wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery to honor 
     our veterans: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates December 13, 2014, as ``Wreaths Across 
     America Day'';
       (2) honors the Wreaths Across America project, the Patriot 
     Guard Riders, the trucking industry, and all of the 
     volunteers and donors involved in this worthy tradition; and
       (3) recognizes the service and sacrifice that our veterans, 
     members of the Armed Forces, and their families have made, 
     and continue to make, for our great Nation.

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