A resolution designating December 19, 2020, as "National Wreaths Across America Day".

III 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION S. RES. 786 Designating December 19, 2020, as ‘‘National Wreaths Across America Day’’. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES DECEMBER 2, 2020 Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Mr. KING) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating December 19, 2020, as ‘‘National Wreaths Across America Day’’. Whereas 29 years before the date of adoption of this resolu- tion, the Wreaths Across America project began with an annual tradition that occurs in December, of donating, transporting, and placing 5,000 Maine balsam fir vet- erans’ remembrance wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes buried at Arlington National Cemetery; Whereas, in the 29 years preceding the date of adoption of this resolution, more than 10,100,300 wreaths have been sent to various locations, including national cemeteries and veterans memorials in every State and overseas; Whereas the mission of the Wreaths Across America project, to ‘‘Remember, Honor, and Teach’’, is carried out in part VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:04 Dec 03, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR786.ATS SR786 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 786 ATS 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 veteran’s parade between Maine and 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 the service and sacrifices made by our veterans and their families to preserve freedoms enjoyed by all in the United States; Whereas, in 2019, approximately 2,200,000 veterans’ remem- brance wreaths were delivered to 2,200 locations across the United States and overseas, including more than 13,300 wreaths placed at the American Cemeteries in Luxembourg and the Netherlands, in remembrance of some of those lost during World War II; Whereas, in December 2019, the tradition of escorting trac- tor-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— (A) motorcycle units; (B) law enforcement units; and (C) first responder units; VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:04 Dec 03, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR786.ATS SR786 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 786 ATS Whereas hundreds of thousands of individuals volunteer each December to help lay veterans’ remembrance wreaths; Whereas the trucking industry in the United States will con- tinue to support the Wreaths Across America project by providing drivers, equipment, and related services to as- sist in the transportation of wreaths across the United States to more than 2,200 locations; Whereas the Senate designated December 14, 2019, as ‘‘Wreaths Across America Day’’; and Whereas, on December 19, 2020, the Wreaths Across Amer- ica project will continue the proud legacy of bringing vet- erans’ remembrance wreaths to Arlington National Ceme- tery: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) designates December 19, 2020, as ‘‘Na- 2 tional Wreaths Across America Day’’; 3 (2) honors— 4 (A) the Wreaths Across America project; 5 (B) patriotic escort units, including— 6 (i) motorcycle units; 7 (ii) law enforcement units; and 8 (iii) first responder units; 9 (C) the trucking industry in the United 10 States; and 11 (D) the volunteers and donors involved in 12 this worthy tradition; and 13 (3) recognizes— 14 VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:04 Dec 03, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR786.ATS SR786 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 4 •SRES 786 ATS (A) the service of veterans and members of 1 the Armed Forces; and 2 (B) the sacrifices that veterans, their fam- 3 ily members, and members of the Armed Forces 4 have made, and continue to make, for the 5 United States, a great Nation. 6 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:04 Dec 03, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR786.ATS SR786 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS