SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 65

(By Senators Stollings, Yost, Wells, Unger, Williams, Prezioso, Kessler (Mr. President), D. Hall, Jenkins, Tucker and Fitzsimmons)

Designating the State of West Virginia as a Purple Heart State.

    Whereas, General George Washington, as the leader of the Continental Army, first introduced the Badge of Military Merit in 1782, instructing that it be awarded “not only [in] instances of unusual gallantry, but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential services in any way”. General Washington went on to describe the figure of a heart in purple cloth, and it eventually became known as the Purple Heart, and is the nation’s oldest military award; and

    Whereas, While the badge was not awarded for some years after the Revolutionary War, and only intermittently during the late 1920s, on February 22, 1932, the two hundredth anniversary of George Washington’s birth, General Douglas MacArthur announced the reestablishment of the Purple Heart Medal, in memory and honor of George Washington’s military achievements; and

    Whereas, Veterans of West Virginia 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; and

    Whereas, The contributions and sacrifices of the men and women from the State of West Virginia who have served and are serving in the armed forces have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by its citizens; and

    Whereas, Many men and women in uniform have given their lives while serving in the armed forces; and

    Whereas, Many citizens of the State of West Virginia have earned the Purple Heart Medal as a result of being wounded while engaged in combat with an enemy force, recognized as a singularly meritorious act of essential service; and

    Whereas, The State of West Virginia has previously recognized and honored this service and sacrifice by providing for Purple Heart license plates, designating a Purple Heart Trail on West Virginia highways, designating each year by Governor’s proclamation that August 7 be designated as West Virginia Purple Heart Day and by West Virginia Code §18B-10-10, the Medal of Honor and Andrew J. Trail Purple Heart Recipient Tuition Waiver, that recognizes Purple Heart recipients with a tuition waiver for undergraduate studies at a state institution; and

    Whereas, The people of the State of West Virginia have a great admiration and the utmost gratitude for all of the men and women who have selflessly served their country and this state in the armed forces, and recognize that each made sacrifices to do so; and

    Whereas, It is a privilege to honor those whose service and sacrifice was recognized with the awarding of a Purple Heart Medal;

therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Legislature hereby designates the State of West Virginia as a Purple Heart State; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Governor of West Virginia and the Secretary of the Department of Veterans’ Assistance.