[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 4947-4948]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  IN SUPPORT OF NORTH CAROLINA'S SEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT BEING 
               RECOGNIZED AS A ``PURPLE HEART DISTRICT''

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. MIKE McINTYRE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 26, 2014

  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to rise today to 
pay tribute to North Carolina's Seventh Congressional District as home 
to recipients of the Purple Heart. So many of its residents have 
honorably served our nation in its times of need--all gave some and 
some gave all. As a reflection of Eastern North Carolina's pivotal role 
in war efforts past and present, and the deep personal sacrifice of so 
many of its residents, I stand to proclaim that North Carolina's 
Seventh Congressional District should be recognized as a ``Purple Heart 
District.''
  As you know, The Purple Heart is one of the oldest and most 
recognized American military medals, awarded to service members who 
were killed or wounded by enemy action. In 1782, George Washington 
created the Badge of Military Merit to reward ``any singularly 
Meritorious action'' displayed by a soldier, non-commissioned officer, 
or officer in the Continental Army. This award was intended to 
encourage gallantry and fidelity among soldiers. General Douglas 
MacArthur (then Army Chief of Staff) revived the award on February 22, 
1932, the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth. Since its 
inception and through several wars and conflicts, the Purple Heart

[[Page 4948]]

has been given to more than a million wounded or killed while serving 
our nation.
  North Carolina is home to the third largest military population in 
the United States. Because of its unique location between Fort Bragg, 
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, and Air Force Base Seymour Johnson, 
North Carolina's Seventh Congressional District is simply an exploding 
center for military life. It is estimated that there are over 50,000 
Purple Heart recipients currently living in our great state, and a 
large percentage of these valiant men and women reside in the district 
I am honored to represent.
  Mr. Speaker, Eastern North Carolina has dispatched thousands of its 
sons and daughters to fight the enemy; many have sacrificed their 
health and many have sacrificed their lives. We will never forget these 
sacrifices and are grateful for the valiant men and women who have been 
harmed defending our country and our freedom.
  I ask that my colleagues to join me in recognition and appreciation 
of Eastern North Carolina's Purple Heart recipients past and present. 
Now, in the spirit of that appreciation, let it be known that North 
Carolina's Seventh Congressional District should be recognized as a 
``Purple Heart District.''

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