III 

109TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 535 

Commending the Patriot Guard Riders for shielding mourning military families from protesters and preserving the memory of fallen service members 

at funerals. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JULY 18, 2006 

Mr. CONRAD (for himself, Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. BAYH, Mr. ALLEN, Mr. 

BROWNBACK, Mr. LOTT, Mr. DORGAN, Ms. STABENOW, Mr. CARPER, Mr. 

TALENT, and Mr. DEWINE) submitted the following resolution; which 

was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

JULY 20, 2006 

Committee discharged; considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Commending the Patriot Guard Riders for shielding mourning military families from protesters and preserving the 

memory of fallen service members at funerals. 

Whereas in 2005, a small group of American Legion Riders 

in Kansas calling themselves the ‘‘Patriot Guard’’ began 

a movement to shield the families and friends of fallen 

service members from interruptions by protesters appearing at military funerals; 

Whereas individuals from Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas 

later brought together diverse groups of motorcycle organizations across the country who rode to honor fallen 


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•SRES 535 ATS 

service members, forming an organization known as the 

‘‘Patriot Guard Riders’’; 

Whereas the Patriot Guard Riders have since grown into a 

nationwide network, including both veterans and nonveterans and riders and nonriders, and is open to anyone 

who shares a respect for service members who have made 

the ultimate sacrifice for the Nation; 

Whereas Patriot Guard Riders attend military funerals to 

show respect for fallen service members and to shield 

mourning family members and friends of the deceased 

from protestors who interrupt, or threaten to interrupt, 

the dignity of the event; 

Whereas across the Nation, Patriot Guard Riders volunteer 

their time to come to the aid of military families in need, 

so as to allow the memories of the deceased service member to be remembered with honor and dignity; 

Whereas regardless of one’s opinion of the Nation’s military 

commitments, the families, friends, and communities of 

the Nation’s fallen soldiers deserve a peaceful time of 

mourning and should not be harassed and caused further 

suffering at a funeral; 

Whereas Patriot Guard Riders appear at a funeral only at 

the invitation of the fallen soldier’s family and participate 

in a nonviolent, legal manner; and 

Whereas the members of the Nation’s Armed Forces willingly 

risk their lives to protect the American way of life and 

the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate expresses its deepest ap2 preciation to the Patriot Guard Riders who— 


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•SRES 535 ATS 

1 (1) attend military funerals across the country 

2 to show respect for fallen members of the Armed 

3 Forces and, when needed, shield mourning family 

4 members and friends of the deceased from protestors 

5 who interrupt, or threaten to interrupt, the dignity 

6 of a funeral; and 

7 (2) in so doing, help to preserve the memory 

8 and honor of the Nation’s fallen heroes. 

Æ 


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