[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 120, 109th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
NOTE: Dec. 6, 2006 -  [H.Con.Res.419]  NATIONAL PURPLE HEART HALL OF
HONOR--RECOGNITION AND SUPPORT

Whereas George Washington, at his headquarters in Newburgh, New York, on
August 7, 1782, devised a Badge of Military Merit to be given to
enlisted men and noncommissioned officers for meritorious action;

Whereas the Badge of Military Merit became popularly known as the
``Purple Heart'' because it consisted of the figure of a

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heart in purple cloth or silk edged with narrow lace or binding and
was affixed to the uniform coat over the left breast;

Whereas Badges of Military Merit were awarded during the Revolutionary
War by General George Washington at his headquarters, in Newburgh,
New York, on May 3 and June 8, 1783;

Whereas the Badge of Military Merit, an award for military merit in the
Revolutionary War, is the inspiration for today's Purple Heart
medal;

Whereas on the bicentennial of General Washington's birthday in February
1932, the Badge of Military Merit was redesignated by General
Douglas MacArthur, then Chief of Staff of the Army, as the Purple
Heart, to be awarded to persons killed or wounded in action against
an enemy of the United States;

Whereas more than 800,000 members of the Armed Forces have been awarded
the Purple Heart;

Whereas the State of New York has dedicated substantial resources to the
creation of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor to be
constructed at the New Windsor Cantonment, a New York State Historic
Site, in New Windsor, New York, to honor those individuals who have
been awarded the Purple Heart and to inform and educate the people
of the United States about the history and importance of that
distinguished combat award;

Whereas the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor will be a permanent
place of remembrance of the service and sacrifices made by the
members of the Armed Forces wounded or killed in service to America
throughout the Nation's history, both at home and abroad; and

Whereas as the Nation continues to defend the American Way, there will
be a need for a distinguished place to honor those who in the future
are awarded the Purple Heart for their service and sacrifice: Now,
therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That the Congress--
(1) recognizes and supports the efforts of the State of New
York to develop and maintain the National Purple Heart Hall of
Honor in New Windsor, New York, to honor those individuals who
have been awarded the Purple Heart and to inform and educate the
people of the United States about the history and importance of
that distinguished combat award; and
(2) encourages the people of the United States as well as
Federal departments and agencies to cooperate, assist, and
participate in educating and informing individuals about the
history and importance of the Purple Heart and about the
National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.

Agreed to December 6, 2006.