[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 939 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 939
Supporting the designation of December 16, 2023, as ``National Wreaths
Across America Day''.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 14, 2023
Mr. Kustoff submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees
on Armed Services, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period
to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Supporting the designation of December 16, 2023, as ``National Wreaths
Across America Day''.
Whereas 32 years before the date of adoption, the Wreaths Across America project
began with an annual tradition that occurs in December of donating,
transporting, and placing 5,000 Maine balsam fir veterans' remembrance
wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes buried at Arlington National
Cemetery;
Whereas, in the past 32 years, more than 17,100,000 wreaths have been sent to
various locations, including national cemeteries and veterans' memorials
in every State and overseas;
Whereas the mission of the Wreaths Across America project, to ``Remember, Honor,
and Teach'', is carried out in part by coordinating wreath-laying
ceremonies in all 50 States and overseas, including at--
(1) Arlington National Cemetery;
(2) veterans' cemeteries; and
(3) other memorial locations;
Whereas the Wreaths Across America project carries out a week-long veterans'
parade between Maine and Virginia, stopping along the way to spread a
message about the importance of--
(1) remembering the fallen heroes of the United States;
(2) honoring those who serve; and
(3) teaching the next generation of children about the service and
sacrifices made by our veterans and their families to preserve freedoms
enjoyed by all in the United States;
Whereas, in 2022, approximately 2,700,000 veterans' remembrance wreaths were
delivered to over 3,700 locations across the United States;
Whereas, in December 2023, the tradition of escorting tractor-trailers filled
with donated wreaths from Harrington, Maine, to Arlington National
Cemetery, will be continued by--
(1) the Patriot Guard Riders; and
(2) other patriotic escort units, including--
G (A) motorcycle units;
G (B) law enforcement units; and
G (C) first responder units;
Whereas hundreds of thousands of individuals volunteer each December to help lay
veterans' wreaths;
Whereas the trucking industry in the United States will continue to support the
Wreaths Across America project by providing drivers, equipment, and
related services to assist in the transportation of wreaths across the
United States to more than 4,000 locations;
Whereas the Senate designated December 17, 2022, as ``Wreaths Across America
Day''; and
Whereas, on December 16, 2023, the Wreaths Across America project will continue
the proud legacy of bringing veterans' wreaths to Arlington National
Cemetery: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the designation of ``National Wreaths Across
America Day'';
(2) honors--
(A) the Wreaths Across America project;
(B) patriotic escort units, including--
(i) motorcycle units;
(ii) law enforcement units; and
(iii) first responder units;
(C) the trucking industry in the United States; and
(D) the millions of volunteers and donors involved
in this worthy tradition; and
(3) recognizes--
(A) the service of veterans and members of the
Armed Forces; and
(B) the sacrifices that veterans, their family
members, and members of the Armed Forces have made, and
continue to make, for this great Nation.
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