III 115th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 719 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 11, 2018 Ms. Collins (for herself and Mr. King ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating December 15, 2018, as Wreaths Across America Day .

Whereas, in 1992, the Wreaths Across America project began 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 the fallen heroes buried at Arlington National Cemetery; Whereas 5,000 donated veterans’ wreaths were transported from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery during the first year of the Wreaths Across America project and placed on the graves of the fallen heroes buried at Arlington National Cemetery; Whereas, during the 27 years preceding the date of adoption of this resolution, more than 6,082,300 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 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— (A) the service of veterans; and (B) the sacrifices made by veterans and the families of veterans to preserve the freedoms enjoyed by the people of the United States; Whereas, in 2017, approximately 1,565,300 veterans’ wreaths were delivered to more than 1,422 locations across the United States and overseas, an increase of more than 200 locations compared to the previous year; Whereas, in December 2018, 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— (A) motorcycle units; (B) law enforcement units; and (C) first responder units; Whereas hundreds of thousands of individuals volunteer each December to help lay veterans’ wreaths; Whereas, in 2018, 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 1,500 locations; Whereas the Senate designated December 16, 2017, as Wreaths Across America Day ; and Whereas, on December 15, 2018, the Wreaths Across America project will continue the proud legacy of bringing veterans’ wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1) designates December 15, 2018, 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, members of the Armed Forces, and the families of veterans and members of the Armed Forces have made, and continue to make, for the United States, a great nation.