IV

107TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 399

Recognizing and supporting the efforts of the State of New York to develop

the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, New York,

and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MAY 8, 2002

Mrs. KELLY submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred

to the Committee on Armed Services

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing and supporting the efforts of the State of New

York to develop the National Purple Heart Hall of

Honor in New Windsor, New York, and for other purposes.

Whereas George Washington, at his headquarters in Newburgh, New York, on August 7, 1782, devised the Badge

of Military Merit to be given to enlisted men and noncommissioned officers for meritorious action;

Whereas the Badge of Military Merit became popularly

known as the ‘‘Purple Heart’’ because it consisted of the

figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk edged with narrow lace or binding and was affixed to the uniform coat

over the left breast;
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•HCON 399 IH

Whereas Badges of Military Merit were awarded during the

Revolutionary War by General George Washington at his

headquarters, in Newburgh, New York, on May 3 and

June 8, 1783;

Whereas the Badge of Military Merit, an award for valor in

the Revolutionary War, is the inspiration for today’s Purple Heart medal;

Whereas on the bicentennial of General Washington’s birthday in February 1932, the Badge of Military Merit was

redesignated by General Douglas MacArthur, then Chief

of Staff of the Army, as the Purple Heart, to be awarded

to persons killed or wounded in action against an enemy

of the United States;

Whereas more than 800,000 members of the Armed Forces

have been awarded the Purple Heart;

Whereas the Nation, as it fights the forces of evil that would

undermine those democratic principles upon which the

Nation was founded, continues to add brave members of

the Armed Forces to the ranks of those who have received the Purple Heart;

Whereas the State of New York has dedicated substantial resources to the creation of the National Purple Heart Hall

of Honor to be constructed at the New Windsor Cantonment, a New York State Historic Site, in New Windsor,

New York, to honor those individuals who have been

awarded the Purple Heart and to inform and educate the

people of the United States about the history and importance of this distinguished combat award;

Whereas the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor will be a

permanent place of remembrance of the service and sacrifices made by the members of the Armed Forces
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•HCON 399 IH

wounded or killed in service to America from World War

I through the current war against terrorism, both at

home and abroad; and

Whereas as the Nation continues to defend the American

Way, there will be a need for a distinguished place to

honor those who in the future are awarded the Purple

Heart for their service and sacrifice: Now, therefore, be

it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress—

3 (1) recognizes and supports the efforts of the

4 State of New York to develop the National Purple

5 Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, New York;

6 (2) encourages the people of the United States

7 to participate in the development of the National

8 Purple Heart Hall of Honor; and

9 (3) encourages Federal departments and agen10 cies to cooperate, assist, and participate in the devel11 opment of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.

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