Bill Text: VA SJR102 | 2016 | Regular Session | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Purple Heart Day; designating as August 7, 2016, and each succeeding year thereafter.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2016-02-22 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ102ER) [SJR102 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2016-SJR102-Enrolled.html

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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 102 Designating August 7, in 2016 and in each succeeding year, as Purple Heart Day in Virginia.   Agreed to by the Senate, February 10, 2016 Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 22, 2016  

WHEREAS, on August 7, 1782, then commander in chief of the Continental Army George Washington established the Badge of Military Merit, which was awarded to only three Revolutionary War soldiers for brave military service; and

WHEREAS, on February 22, 1932, the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth, President Herbert Hoover revived the Badge of Military Merit, which was originally designed as a heart made of purple cloth, as the Purple Heart; and

WHEREAS, the Purple Heart is a decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded or killed in combat on or after April 5, 1917, as the result of any act by an opposing enemy force or hostile foreign force; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that at least 1,900,000 Purple Hearts have been bestowed upon the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces; it is the oldest military decoration in continuous use in the country; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth is the proud home to one of the largest populations of active duty service members and veterans and their families in the country, and it is committed to serving those who have courageously gone into harm's way in defense of the nation; and

WHEREAS, all Virginians are encouraged to honor the heroic service and noble sacrifices of active duty military members and veterans, including those who have made the ultimate sacrifice; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly designate August 7, in 2016 and in each succeeding year, as Purple Heart Day in Virginia; 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 the designation of this day on the General Assembly's website.