Florida Senate - 2013                             (NP)    SR 900
       
       
       
       By Senator Sachs
       
       
       
       
       34-01425-13                                            2013900__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution designating this state a Purple Heart
    3         State in honor of the service and sacrifices of our
    4         nation’s men and women in uniform who have been
    5         wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to
    6         protect the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans.
    7  
    8         WHEREAS, General George Washington, as the leader of the
    9  Continental Army, first introduced the “Badge of Military Merit”
   10  in 1782, instructing that it be awarded “not only in instances
   11  of unusual gallantry, but also of extraordinary fidelity and
   12  essential service in any way,” and
   13         WHEREAS, General Washington described the badge as a figure
   14  of a heart in purple cloth, which eventually became known as the
   15  Purple Heart, and is the nation’s oldest military award, and
   16         WHEREAS, the badge was not awarded for some years after the
   17  Revolutionary War, and was awarded only intermittently during
   18  the late 1920’s, on February 22, 1932, the 200th anniversary of
   19  George Washington’s birth, General Douglas MacArthur announced
   20  the reestablishment of the Purple Heart Medal, in memory and
   21  honor of George Washington’s military achievements, and
   22         WHEREAS, veterans have paid the high price of freedom by
   23  leaving their families and communities and placing themselves in
   24  harm’s way for the good of all, and
   25         WHEREAS, the contributions and sacrifices of the men and
   26  women from this state who have served and are serving in the
   27  Armed Forces have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way
   28  of life enjoyed by its residents, and
   29         WHEREAS, many men and women in uniform have given their
   30  lives while serving in the Armed Forces, and
   31         WHEREAS, many residents of this state have earned the
   32  Purple Heart Medal as a result of being wounded while engaged in
   33  combat with an enemy force, which is recognized as a singularly
   34  meritorious act of essential service, and
   35         WHEREAS, the people of this state have a great admiration
   36  and the utmost gratitude for the sacrifices made by the men and
   37  women who have selflessly served their country and this state in
   38  the Armed Forces, and
   39         WHEREAS, it is a privilege to honor those whose service and
   40  sacrifice was recognized with the award of a Purple Heart Medal,
   41  NOW, THEREFORE,
   42  
   43  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   44  
   45         That the Florida Senate proclaims this state a Purple Heart
   46  State, honoring the service and sacrifices of our nation’s men
   47  and women in uniform who were wounded or killed by the enemy
   48  while serving to protect the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans.
   49         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be
   50  presented to the Department of Veterans Affairs as a tangible
   51  token of the sentiments expressed in this resolution.