[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 40 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]
1st Session
S. CON. RES. 40
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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas the Order of the Purple Heart for Military Merit, commonly known as the
Purple Heart, is the oldest military decoration in the world in present
use;
Whereas the Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United
States to members of the Armed Forces who are wounded in conflict with
an enemy force, or while held by an enemy force as a prisoner of war,
and posthumously to the next of kin of members of the Armed Forces who
are killed in conflict with an enemy force, or who die of a wound
received in conflict with an enemy force;
Whereas the Purple Heart was established on August 7, 1782, during the
Revolutionary War, when General George Washington issued an order
establishing the Honorary Badge of Distinction, otherwise known as the
Badge of Military Merit, or the Decoration of the Purple Heart;
Whereas the award of the Purple Heart ceased with the end of the Revolutionary
War, but was revived out of respect for the memory and military
achievements of George Washington in 1932, the 200th anniversary of his
birth; and
Whereas the designation of August 7, 2003, as ``National Purple Heart
Recognition Day'' is a fitting tribute to General Washington, and to the
over 1,535,000 recipients of the Purple Heart Medal, approximately
550,000 of whom are still living: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring),
That Congress--
(1) designates August 7, 2003, as ``National Purple Heart
Recognition Day'';
(2) encourages all Americans to learn about the history of
the Order of the Purple Heart for Military Merit and to honor
its recipients; and
(3) requests that the President issue a proclamation
calling on the people of the United States to conduct
appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs to demonstrate
support for the Order of the Purple Heart for Military Merit.
Passed the Senate July 25 (legislative day, July 21), 2003.
Attest:
Secretary.
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. CON. RES. 40
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Designating August 7, 2003, as ``National Purple Heart Recognition
Day''.