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 pur-
poses.
Whereas George Washington, at his headquarters in New-
burgh, New York, on August 7, 1782, devised the 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-
row lace or binding and was affixed to the uniform coat
over the left breast;
•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 Pur-
ple 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 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 re-
ceived 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 this 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
•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
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 the National Purple
Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, New York;
(2) encourages the people of the United States
to participate in the development of the National
Purple Heart Hall of Honor; and
(3) encourages Federal departments and agen-
cies to cooperate, assist, and participate in the devel-
opment of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.
Æ