Title: A resolution designating December 14, 2019, as "Wreaths Across America Day".
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
This resolution designates December 14, 2019, as Wreaths Across America Day to honor the service of veterans and members of the Armed Forces.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 440 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 440

   Designating December 14, 2019, as ``Wreaths Across America Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 21, 2019

   Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. King, and Ms. Warren) submitted the 
        following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Designating December 14, 2019, as ``Wreaths Across America Day''.

Whereas, in 1992, the Wreaths Across America project--

    (1) began by establishing an annual tradition of donating and 
transporting Maine balsam fir veterans' wreaths to Arlington National 
Cemetery each December and placing those wreaths on the graves of fallen 
heroes buried there; and

    (2) placed 5,000 donated veterans' wreaths at Arlington National 
Cemetery;

Whereas, during the 28-year period preceding the date of adoption of this 
        resolution, more than 7,882,300 wreaths were 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 coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies 
        in all 50 States and overseas, including at--

    (1) Arlington National Cemetery;

    (2) veterans cemeteries; and

    (3) other memorial locations;

Whereas the Wreaths Across America project carries out a week-long veterans 
        parade between the State of Maine and the Commonwealth of 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) teaching the next generation of children about--

    G    (A) the service of veterans; and

    G    (B) the sacrifices made by veterans and the their families to 
preserve freedoms enjoyed by the people of the United States;

Whereas, in 2018, approximately 1,800,000 veterans' wreaths were delivered to 
        1,644 locations across the United States and overseas, including more 
        than 9,300 wreaths placed at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial 
        in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, an increase of more than 200 locations 
        compared to the previous year;
Whereas, in December 2019, the tradition of escorting tractor-trailers filled 
        with donated wreaths from Harrington, Maine, to Arlington National 
        Cemetery will be continued by--

    (1) the Patriot Guard Riders; and

    (2) other patriotic escort units, including--

    G    (A) motorcycle units;

    G    (B) law enforcement units; and

    G    (C) first responder units;

Whereas hundreds of thousands of individuals volunteer each December to help lay 
        veterans' wreaths;
Whereas, in 2019, the trucking industry in the United States will continue to 
        support the Wreaths Across America project by providing drivers, 
        equipment, and related services to assist in the transportation of 
        wreaths across the United States to more than 1,700 locations;
Whereas the Senate designated December 15, 2018, as ``Wreaths Across America 
        Day''; and
Whereas, on December 14, 2019, the Wreaths Across America project will continue 
        the proud legacy of bringing veterans' wreaths to Arlington National 
        Cemetery: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates December 14, 2019, as ``Wreaths Across 
        America Day'';
            (2) honors--
                    (A) the Wreaths Across America project;
                    (B) patriotic escort units, including--
                            (i) motorcycle units;
                            (ii) law enforcement units; and
                            (iii) first responder units;
                    (C) the trucking industry in the United States; and
                    (D) the volunteers and donors involved in this 
                worthy tradition; and
            (3) recognizes--
                    (A) the service of veterans and members of the 
                Armed Forces; and
                    (B) the sacrifices that veterans, their family 
                members, and members of the Armed Forces have made and 
                continue to make for the United States, a great nation.
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