GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2015

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1141

Sponsors:	Representatives Blust, G. Martin, Cleveland, and L. Hall (Primary Sponsors). For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to:	Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

May 23, 2016

A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring our service members during the observance of memorial day.

Whereas, on May 5, 1868, General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, designated May 30, 1868, as Decoration Day "for the purpose of …decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country"; and

Whereas, over the next few years, various local observances were held in towns throughout the nation; and

Whereas, after World War I, Decoration Day was expanded to honor service members killed in all of our nation's wars, and, after World War II, Decoration Day became known as Memorial Day; and

Whereas, in 1968, Congress established Memorial Day as a federal holiday to be observed on the last Monday of May beginning in 1971; and

Whereas, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, between 1775 and 1991 more than 41,892,120 men and women served in the United States military during times of war, of which over 1,190,000 died during their service; and

Whereas, as we observe Memorial Day in 2016, it is important to reflect upon the contributions and selfless sacrifices the men and women of our military have made in upholding the principles of democracy and liberty while in service to our nation; and

Whereas, it is especially fitting to honor and commend the North Carolinians, as well as the all men and women that served who were killed in the line of duty; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly expresses its profound gratitude and appreciation to all the men and women of the United States military for their selfless service.

SECTION 2.  The General Assembly wishes to honor the memory of all the veterans who have died since the last Memorial Day.

SECTION 3.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the families of the service members who made the ultimate sacrifice to help secure the freedom of the United States. The people of the State of North Carolina owe a debt of gratitude to these brave service members and solemnly pledge that they shall never be forgotten.

SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.