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2016 SESSION

16102626D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 101
Offered January 18, 2016
Designating Virginia as a Purple Heart State.
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Patrons-- Norment, Carrico, Chafin, Chase, Cosgrove, Dance, Deeds, DeSteph, Dunnavant, Ebbin, Edwards, Favola, Garrett, Howell, Locke, Marsden, McDougle, McEachin, McPike, Newman, Obenshain, Reeves, Ruff, Saslaw, Stuart, Sturtevant, Surovell, Vogel, Wagner and Wexton; Delegates: Anderson, Austin, Bagby, Bell, John J., Bell, Richard P., Boysko, Bulova, Byron, Carr, Cole, Collins, Cox, Davis, Dudenhefer, Edmunds, Fariss, Farrell, Fowler, Freitas, Greason, Helsel, Heretick, Herring, Hester, Hope, Hugo, Jones, Keam, Knight, Kory, Krizek, Landes, Leftwich, Lindsey, Lingamfelter, Loupassi, Marshall, D.W., Mason, McClellan, McQuinn, Minchew, Miyares, Morefield, Morris, Murphy, Plum, Rasoul, Simon, Spruill, Stolle, Taylor, Toscano, Tyler, Villanueva, Ware, Watts, Webert, Wilt, Wright and Yancey
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, the Purple Heart is the oldest American military decoration in continuous use; it was created by George Washington—a citizen of the Commonwealth, commanding general of the victorious Continental Army, and first President of the United States—as the Badge of Military Merit during the Revolutionary War; and

WHEREAS, the Purple Heart was the first American service award made available to the common soldier, and it is awarded currently to any member of the United States Armed Forces wounded or killed in combat with a declared enemy of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the missions of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, which was chartered by an act of the United States Congress, are to foster an environment of goodwill among combat-wounded veterans and their families; to promote patriotism; to support related legislative initiatives; and, most important, to make sure Americans never forget the sacrifices made by those so decorated; and

WHEREAS, many citizens of the Commonwealth have received the Purple Heart as a result of being wounded or killed while engaged in combat with an enemy force, which is construed as a singularly meritorious act of essential service; and

WHEREAS, veterans and active duty service members have paid the high price of freedom by leaving their families and communities and placing themselves in harm’s way for the good of all; the people of the Commonwealth have great admiration and the utmost gratitude for all men and women who have selflessly served their country and the Commonwealth in the military; and

WHEREAS, the contributions and the sacrifices of the men and women of the Commonwealth who served in the United States Armed Forces have been vital in maintaining the freedom and the way of life enjoyed by American citizens; and

WHEREAS, August 7 is designated as Purple Heart Day in Virginia to honor and remember the veterans and active duty members of the military who have been wounded or killed in service to the nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly designate Virginia as a Purple Heart State; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit a copy of this resolution to the Military Order of the Purple Heart so that members of the organization may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the Senate post this designation on the General Assembly’s website.