Expressing support for designation of May 1 as "Silver Star Service Banner Day".

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 855) expressing support for designation of May 1 as ``Silver Star Service Banner Day''.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 855, a bill supporting Silver Star Service Banner Day. H. Res. 855 was introduced by my colleague, the gentleman from Missouri, Representative Roy Blunt, on October 22, 2009. The measure was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government

Reform, which reported it favorably by unanimous consent on April 14 of this year. The measure enjoys the support of over 50 cosponsors.

Madam Speaker, our Nation continues to face two long and difficult wars, and I am very glad that we can take time now to honor the men and women of our Armed Services. They deserve our thoughts, our prayers, and our support.

The Silver Star Families of America understand this well and work hard to help the American people recognize the sacrifices made by the wounded and ill members of the Armed Forces. Tens of thousands of American troops are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, risking their lives in service to our country. They also risk their lives in deployments throughout the world. I ask my colleagues to join me in giving thanks to them and to their families for the sacrifices they continue to make and for their service to our country.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I now yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), the great leader.

Madam Speaker, I had the privilege, and I call it a privilege, earlier this year to travel to Kuwait, Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and then to Germany, where I had the privilege of meeting our troops who are committed, passionate, have an incredible love of country, and then to visit those wounded warriors at our facility in Germany. And I must say that there's nothing like having that interpersonal connection, that opportunity to make us realize the extraordinary sacrifices that are being made every single day.

So it is fitting that we have this resolution before us, and I urge all my colleagues to support this measure.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt).

If the gentlelady has no additional speakers, I'm prepared to close.

Madam Speaker, it's important for us to take a moment to extend our gratitude to our loved ones who have endured the grief of losing loved ones, those brave soldiers in the battlefield who become wounded or sick. And I thank the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt) for his comments. We're all grateful for the Silver Star Families of America, for their devotion, dedication to keeping us all aware of the sacrifices made by the wounded and ill members of the armed services.

I ask all Members to support this resolution supporting Silver Star Service Banner Day.

I rise today in support of House Resolution 855, expressing support for the designation of May 1st as `Silver Star Service Banner Day'.

Recognizing all of our service members throughout the year is our privilege and designating May 1, 2010 as Silver Star Service Banner Day is an additional way to honor the wounded and ill members of our Armed Forces.

The Silver Star Families of America, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to keeping the memories of these hero's sacrifices in the hearts and minds of all of us through the presence of a Silver Star displayed in a window or the Service Flag flying for all to see.

It is important for us to take a moment to extend our gratitude to their loved ones who have endured the grief of losing a loved one or the difficulty of caring for these brave soldiers as the Silver Star Families do.

Those who have been wounded or have died are members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. They deserve our continued gratitude for all that they have given on our behalf. To this end, the Silver Star Service Banner has come to represent their bravery.

We are grateful to the Silver Star Families of America for their devotion and dedication to keeping all of us aware of the sacrifices made by the wounded and ill members of the Armed Forces, therefore, I ask all members to join me in supporting May 1, 2010 as Silver Star Service Banner Day.

I yield back the balance of my time.

I thank the gentleman from Arizona for yielding time.

Madam Speaker, I thank the committee for reporting this resolution to the floor. I want to recognize, along with my other colleagues, the Silver Star Families of America. This bill does that. It designates the 1st of May as Silver Star Service Banner Day.

Silver Star Families of America is not only reflective of all the families that have helped, but it is also a nonprofit organization that has been formed dedicated to supporting and assisting those whose families have earned the Silver Star, those who have been wounded, those who have become ill in a combat zone, recognizing those members of the Armed Forces and their families across all branches of the services, and Madam Speaker, for all wars.

This group was founded in Missouri's Seventh Congressional District in 2004. The Silver Star Flag and the Silver Star Banner are symbols of remembrance and honor for those wounded during battle, those who incurred an illness during battle, and those who have honorably served in the Armed Forces during that moment of sacrifice, and a sacrifice that is almost always shared by their family and their loved ones.

Thousands of cities and counties throughout the country have issued proclamations to set aside May 1 to honor our current troops, our veterans and their families, as well as Silver Star families and Gold Star families.

Last April, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, recognized Silver Star families of America for their support of servicemembers and those who have earned the Silver Star.

Madam Speaker, I thank the committee for bringing this to the floor. I ask my colleagues to join me in support of House Resolution 855 which, of course, is a resolution in support of those service people and their families who have earned this recognition, who show this banner, who understand the implications of the Silver Star flag and the Silver Star banner.

Madam Speaker, as an original cosponsor, I rise today in support of H. Res. 855, a resolution that expresses our Nation's appreciation for the sacrifices that have been made by so many dedicated servicemen and -women who've worn the uniform of the United States.

It's no small thing to raise one's hand and swear to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, and it's the responsibility of every American to recognize that servicemembers who have been wounded or become ill in the line of duty have paid an especially high price for our freedoms.

I make it a point to visit servicemembers who are recovering at Walter Reed, and I know so many of my colleagues do just the same. Oftentimes, a spouse or a parent is there lending support and anxious to take their loved one home. I'm humbled by the strength and character of these servicemembers and their caregivers.

The Silver Star Families of America deserves recognition for the tremendous job its members do in reminding us of the debt of gratitude our Nation owes to wounded and ill servicemembers, veterans, and their families. By supporting the designation of May 1 as Silver Star Service Banner Day, Members of the House add the collective voice to this body of good works.

I thank my colleague and my friend, Roy Blunt, for introducing this resolution.