Issue Position: Veterans - Honoring the Order of the Purple Heart for Military Merit

Issue Position

Over 1.5 million veterans have been awarded the prestigious Purple Heart for Military Merit. In April 2007, I introduced two resolutions to honor the service and sacrifice of those brave men and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart. S.Con.Res. 26 recognizes the Military Order of the Purple Heart on its 75 th anniversary, and S. Con. Res. 27 supports the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day. Both resolutions also encourage the American people to learn about the distinguished history of the Purple Heart and will help to pay proper tribute to its recipients, while also reminding us of the valor and service of all our veterans.

In addition, in 2002, I began working with veterans, elected officials and others in the campaign to establish the Purple Heart Stamp. I wrote to the U.S. Postmaster General urging support for a commemorative stamp to pay tribute to the Order of the Purple Heart for Military Merit and co-sponsored legislation during the 107th Congress expressing the sense of Congress that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued to honor members of the Armed Forces who have been awarded the Purple Heart. In May 2003, I was pleased to attend the ceremony to launch the first issue of the Purple Heart Stamp in Newburgh, New York, the site where General George Washington created the medal as the Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782.

In February 2006, I was honored to receive the Military Order of the Purple Heart's Inspirational Leadership Award. I plan to continue working on behalf of recipients of Purple Heart, to make sure that we honor their service and their sacrifice. For instance, I plan to introduce legislation in the 110 th Congress that would make the Purple Heart stamp one of the U.S. Postal Service's new "forever" stamps.

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