HJ0102 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0102 LRB095 18607 KXB 44693 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, All of us as Americans are called to remember the extraordinary price paid for our nation's freedom by the selfless men and women who have sacrificed their lives to preserve and protect our nation; and

WHEREAS, We owe a special debt, not only to those brave Americans who have given their lives in service to our country, but also to those family members who loved those fallen warriors and who feel their loss every day; and

WHEREAS, From the time of World War I, the Gold Star has been the traditional symbol of both pride and mourning for the grieving families of those men and women in the Armed Forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this country; and

WHEREAS, Our Gold Star families have shown courage and compassion in the face of great personal sadness and continue to demonstrate their constant love of our country; and

WHEREAS, The United States Congress has designated the last Sunday in September as "Gold Star Mother's Day" and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this day; and

WHEREAS, It is proper for the people of Illinois to set aside a week of each year to honor the pride, perseverance, dignity, and devotion of those who have loved and lost America's fallen heroes; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the last Sunday in September and the six days following in 2008 and each succeeding year shall be known as Gold Star Families Week, and that everyone in the State of Illinois shall be encouraged to display the flag of the United States and find other appropriate means to publicly express love, sorrow, and reverence for our Gold Star families.