III 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 639 

Designating December 17, 2016, as ‘‘Wreaths Across America Day’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

DECEMBER 10 (legislative day, DECEMBER 9), 2016 

Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Mr. KING) submitted the following resolution; 

which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Designating December 17, 2016, as ‘‘Wreaths Across 

America Day’’. 

Whereas, 25 years before the date of adoption of this resolution, the Wreaths Across America project began with an 

annual tradition that occurs in December, of donating, 

transporting, and placing 5,000 Maine balsam fir remembrance wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes buried 

at Arlington National Cemetery; 

Whereas, in the 25 years preceding the date of adoption of 

this resolution, more than 3,317,000 wreaths have been 

sent to locations, including national cemeteries and veterans memorials, in every State and overseas; 

Whereas the mission of the Wreaths Across America project, 

to ‘‘Remember, Honor, Teach’’, is carried out in part by 


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coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in all 50 States 

and overseas, including at— 

(1) Arlington National Cemetery; 

(2) veterans cemeteries; and 

(3) other 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) reminding the people of the United States about 

the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve freedoms in the United States; 

Whereas, in 2015, approximately 901,000 remembrance 

wreaths were sent to more than 1,100 locations across 

the United States and overseas, an increase of more than 

100 locations compared to the previous year; 

Whereas, in December 2016, the tradition of escorting tractor-trailers filled with donated wreaths from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery will be continued by— 

(1) the Patriot Guard Riders; and 

(2) other patriotic escort units, including motorcycle 

units, law enforcement units, and first responder units; 

Whereas hundreds of thousands of individuals volunteer each 

December to help lay remembrance wreaths; 

Whereas the trucking industry in the United States continues 

to support the Wreaths Across America project by providing drivers, equipment, and related services to assist 


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in the transportation of wreaths across the United States 

to over 1,200 locations; 

Whereas the Senate designated December 12, 2015, as 

‘‘Wreaths Across America Day’’; and 

Whereas, on December 17, 2016, the Wreaths Across America project will continue the proud legacy of bringing remembrance wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates December 17, 2016, as ‘‘Wreaths 

3 Across America Day’’; 

4 (2) honors— 

5 (A) the Wreaths Across America project; 

6 (B) patriotic escort units, including motor7 cycle units, law enforcement units, and first re8 sponder units; 

9 (C) the trucking industry in the United 

10 States; and 

11 (D) the volunteers and donors involved in 

12 this worthy tradition; and 

13 (3) recognizes— 

14 (A) the service of veterans and members of 

15 the Armed Forces; and 

16 (B) the sacrifices that veterans, members 

17 of the Armed Forces, and their families have 


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1 made, and continue to make, for the United 

2 States, a great Nation. 

Æ 


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