A concurrent resolution honoring the service and sacrifice of Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta, a native of Hiawatha, Iowa, and the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War.

Whereas Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta of the United States Army, a native of Hiawatha, Iowa, was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Obama on November 16, 2010;

Whereas the Medal of Honor is the highest honor awarded to members of the Armed Forces for valor in combat;

Whereas the official citation awarding the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Giunta states that Staff Sergeant Giunta distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, on October 25, 2007;

Whereas Staff Sergeant Giunta joins an elite group of Medal of Honor recipients dating back to the Civil War;

Whereas the production and distribution of a medal of honor recognizing individual valor was first proposed by a fellow Iowan, Senator James W. Grimes, and the Secretary of the Navy was authorized to award the first medals of honor under section 7 of the Act of December 21, 1861 (12 Stat. 330; chapter I);

Whereas Staff Sergeant Giunta is the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War;

Whereas Staff Sergeant Giunta displayed true courage in the face of enemy fire, risking his own life for the benefit of an injured soldier;

Whereas the actions of Staff Sergeant Giunta represent the highest values of the Army and the United States;

Whereas Staff Sergeant Giunta has demonstrated humility and dedication to his fellow soldiers on numerous occasions, stating that the Medal of Honor does not belong to him alone, but also to his fellow soldiers, both living and dead, for whom he holds the Medal of Honor in trust; and

Whereas the brave actions of Staff Sergeant Giunta, which went above and beyond the call of duty, as well as the modesty and selfless service exhibited by Staff Sergeant Giunta, stand as the embodiment of the best attributes of the people of the United States: Now, therefore, be it