PREFILED JAN 04 2016
REFERENCE TITLE: purple heart state; day |
State of Arizona Senate Fifty-second Legislature Second Regular Session 2016
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SCR 1002 |
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Introduced by Senator Allen
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A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Declaring Arizona to be a purple heart state and proclaiming December 7, 2016 as Arizona Purple Heart Day.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Whereas, the Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in the United States in present use; and
Whereas, General George Washington established the Purple Heart during the Revolutionary War in Newburgh, New York on August 7, 1782 as an incentive for members of the Continental Army; and
Whereas, the Purple Heart was the first award made available to the common soldier to recognize outstanding valor or merit; and
Whereas, the Purple Heart is a combat decoration that is awarded to living military members of the United States armed forces who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy or that is awarded posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who were killed in action or who died from wounds received in action; and
Whereas, recipients of the Purple Heart know the meaning of sacrifice in the preservation of the United States of America and national interests at home and abroad; and
Whereas, there are approximately 1.7 million Purple Heart recipients in our nation's history, many of whom are from the State of Arizona; and
Whereas, to perpetually honor this state's Purple Heart recipients, it is fitting to declare Arizona to be a Purple Heart State.
Therefore
Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:
1. That the Members of the Legislature declare the State of Arizona to be a Purple Heart State and proclaim December 7, 2016 as Arizona Purple Heart Day.
2. That the Members of the Legislature support efforts by the people of Arizona to pay special tribute to current and former members of the United States armed forces who have received the Purple Heart and to honor the families of fallen Purple Heart recipients.