Senators Clinton, Hagel Announce Unanimous Senate Approval for Resolution Supporting National Purple Heart Recognition Day

July 17, 2007 -- Washington, DC - Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Chuck Hagel (R-NE) today announced that the resolution supporting "National Purple Heart Recognition Day," was unanimously passed by the Senate. The resolution honors all of those brave servicemembers who were injured while serving their country and who were awarded a Purple Heart.

"I am pleased that this resolution has once again passed the Senate. 'National Purple Heart Recognition Day' reminds all Americans of the tremendous sacrifices our brave men and women in uniform have made in the defense of our nation and also reminds us of the valor and service of all our veterans. I will continue to advocate on behalf of recipients of the Purple Heart, to make sure that their service and their sacrifices never go unrecognized," said Senator Clinton.

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The Purple Heart was established on August 7, 1782 in Newburgh, NY, during the Revolutionary War, when General George Washington issued an order establishing the Honorary Badge of Distinction, otherwise known as the Badge of Military Merit, or the Decoration of the Purple Heart. The legislation supporting a "National Purple Heart Recognition Day" requests that the American people conduct appropriate ceremonies, activities and programs to demonstrate support for people who have been awarded the Purple Heart medal.

The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in the world in present use. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to members of the Armed Forces who are wounded in conflict with an enemy force, or while held by an enemy force as a prisoner of war, and posthumously to the next of kin of members of the Armed Forces who are killed in conflict with an enemy force, or who die of a wound received in conflict with an enemy force.

Senator Clinton has been unwavering in her efforts to recognize the heroism of those who have received the Purple Heart. In July 2004, the Senate passed an earlier version of this resolution sponsored by Senators Clinton and Hagel that supported the goals and ideals of "National Purple Heart Recognition Day" in honoring the American veterans who have earned the military tribute by virtue of their bravery and sacrifice. Senator Clinton was honored last year as the first woman to receive the Military Order of the Purple Heart's (MOPH) Inspirational Leadership Award. Senator Clinton also championed the creation of the Purple Heart Postage Stamp and attended the ceremony to launch the first issue of the stamp in Newburgh, NY. Earlier this year, Senator Clinton introduced legislation to make the Purple Heart Stamp one of the "forever stamps" issued by the United States Postal Service.

Source: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton