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[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 293 Introduced in House (IH)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 293

   Expressing support for designation of August 2013 as ``Blue Star 
                      Mothers of America Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              July 9, 2013

 Mr. LaMalfa (for himself, Mrs. Roby, Ms. Sinema, and Mr. Swalwell of 
 California) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
   Expressing support for designation of August 2013 as ``Blue Star 
                      Mothers of America Month''.

Whereas Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. was founded as a patriotic service 
        organization on February 2, 1942, with the purpose of uniting mothers 
        with sons or daughters in the United States Armed Forces;
Whereas the nonpartisan, nonsectarian, nondiscriminatory, and nonprofit 
        organization was chartered in 1960 by the Congress of the United States;
Whereas persons eligible for membership in the Blue Star Mothers of America 
        include any woman who filled the role of birthmother, adoptive mother, 
        step-mother, foster-mother, grandmother, legal Guardian of a service 
        member at any time in that service members' life who is currently 
        serving in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, or has served 
        and been discharged;
Whereas the work of the Blue Star Mothers of America includes--

    (1) supporting members of the United States Armed Forces and veterans;

    (2) advocating for the United States Armed Forces and those men and 
women who have served the Nation with honor;

    (3) maintaining allegiance to the United States;

    (4) educating its members and others not to divulge military or other 
government information;

    (5) assisting and participating in ceremonies which honor, remember, 
and support members of the United States Armed Forces and veterans;

    (6) honoring those families whose children have died in service to the 
Nation;

    (7) assisting in the care of unsupported mothers who gave their 
children to the service of the Nation;

    (8) fostering true democracy;

    (9) assisting in homeland security;

    (10) upholding the United States principles of freedom, justice, and 
equal rights; and

    (11) defending the United States from all enemies, foreign and 
domestic;

Whereas the dedication of Blue Star Mothers of America is increasingly important 
        with over 11,000 active members in 42 States of the United States with 
        sons and daughters serving in the United States Air Force, Army, Marine 
        Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard;
Whereas the Blue Star Service Flag is the official banner authorized by the 
        Department of Defense for display by families who have members serving 
        in the United States Armed Forces during any period of war or armed 
        hostilities the Nation may be engaged in for the duration of such 
        hostilities;
Whereas as of today, 6,648 members of the United States Armed Forces have died 
        in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom;
Whereas the loyalty, dedication, sacrifice, and hard work of the devoted members 
        of Blue Star Mothers of America merit the utmost respect, 
        acknowledgment, and recognition of the public; and
Whereas August 2013 would be an appropriate month to designate as ``Blue Star 
        Mothers of America Month'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of ``Blue Star Mothers of 
        America Month''; and
            (2) encourages all citizens to take time during the month 
        to reflect and honor the dedication and sacrifice of the 
        mothers of members of the United States Armed Forces and 
        celebrate the rich history and contributions they have made to 
        the great Nation.
                                 <all>
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