LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the First Anniversary of the Purple
Heart Forever Stamp on May 5, 2012

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the First
Anniversary of the Purple Heart Forever Stamp on May 5, 2012; and
WHEREAS, The Purple Heart Medal is the oldest military decoration in
the world in present use, and is awarded in the name of the President of
the United States to members of the United States military who have been
wounded or killed in action; and
WHEREAS, On August 7, 1782, during the American Revolution, General
George Washington issued an order establishing the Badge of Military
Merit to honor merit, particularly among the enlisted soldiers; consist-
ing of a heart made of purple cloth, the Badge of Military Merit was
distinctive because it was open only to enlisted men; and
WHEREAS, Although not continued after the American Revolution, the
Badge of Military Merit was later renamed the Purple Heart and rein-
stated by the United States War Department, now the Department of
Defense, on February 22, 1932, the 200th anniversary of George
Washington's birth; and
WHEREAS, From General George Washington to General David Petraeus, our
nation's military leaders have awarded the Purple Heart in the name of
the President to honor almost two million Americans who have been killed
or wounded in action; and
WHEREAS, The effort to honor military heroes with a Purple Heart Stamp
began in January of 2000; after a massive letter writing effort nation-
wide, the United States Postal Service issued the first Purple Heart
stamp on May 30, 2003; and
WHEREAS, Since the Purple Heart Stamp faced extinction each time the
price of stamps increased, another major effort was conducted to make
the Purple Heart Stamp a Forever Stamp; and
WHEREAS, After years of hard work, the United States Postal Service
officially issued the Purple Heart Forever Stamp on May 5, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The classification of a Forever Stamp means that the Purple
Heart stamp will continue in circulation; that supporters will no longer
need to advocate to maintain it each time the price of stamps increases;
and that the stamp will forevermore serve as a reminder of the tremen-
dous sacrifices American young men and women have made, and continue to
make, on behalf of our great nation; and
WHEREAS, As Americans, it is our responsibility to ensure that our
history is documented and reverence is given to our war heroes; and
WHEREAS, The freedoms and security we cherish as Americans come at a
very high price for those serving in the military; it is fitting and
proper that we, who are the beneficiaries of the courage of those who
risk their lives, leaving their families behind, express our appreci-
ation and eternal gratitude for their sacrifices and courageous acts;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the First Anniversary of the Purple Heart Forever Stamp on
May 5, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the National
Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Inc.