109TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 419
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas George Washington, at his headquarters in New-
burgh, New York, on August 7, 1782, devised a Badge 
of Military Merit to be given to enlisted men and non-
commissioned 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 nar-
•HCON 419 EH 
row lace or binding and was affixed to the uniform coat 
over the left breast; 
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 military 
merit in the Revolutionary War, is the inspiration for to-
day’s Purple Heart medal; 
Whereas on the bicentennial of General Washington’s birth-
day 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 State of New York has dedicated substantial re-
sources to the creation of the National Purple Heart Hall 
of Honor to be constructed at the New Windsor Canton-
ment, 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 impor-
tance of that distinguished combat award; 
Whereas the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor will be a 
permanent place of remembrance of the service and sac-
rifices made by the members of the Armed Forces 
wounded or killed in service to America throughout the 
Nation’s history, both at home and abroad; and
•HCON 419 EH 
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
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That the Congress—
(1) recognizes and supports the efforts of the 
State of New York to develop and maintain the Na-
tional Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, 
New York, to honor those individuals who have been 
awarded the Purple Heart and to inform and edu-
cate the people of the United States about the his-
tory and importance of that distinguished combat 
award; and 
(2) encourages the people of the United States 
as well as Federal departments and agencies to co-
operate, assist, and participate in educating and in-
forming individuals about the history and impor-
tance of the Purple Heart and about the National 
Purple Heart Hall of Honor. 
Passed the House of Representatives September 19, 
2006. 
Attest:
Clerk.
109TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 419
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.