Senate Concurrent Resolution 514

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AS "A PURPLE HEART STATE" TO HONOR AND ENCOURAGE CITIZENS TO SHOW APPRECIATION TO MISSISSIPPIANS WHO RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL FOR WOUNDS SUFFERED IN COMBAT.

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi has always supported its military veteran population; and

WHEREAS, the Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in present use and was initially created as the Badge of Military Merit by General George Washington in 1782; and

WHEREAS, the Purple Heart was the first American service award or decoration made available to the common soldier and is specifically awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded or killed in combat with a declared enemy of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, based on the original Badge of Merit, today's Purple Heart Medal is the shape of a heart and purple in color. Bordered in bronze, the medal features a bronze bust of President George Washington, who created the badge, and the Washington coat of arms between sprays of leaves at the top. The bronze back says "For military merit" on a raised heart. General George Washington established the Badge of Military Merit in August 1782, to reward troops for "unusual gallantry" and "extraordinary fidelity and essential service." The original award was a purple cloth heart edged in silver braid, and was worn on the left breast of the uniform; and

WHEREAS, the award was reestablished and redesigned in 1932 to coincide with Washington's 200th birthday. Original criteria for the renamed Purple Heart, as published in the War Department Circular No. 6 of February 22, 1932, states the medal should be awarded to any solder who received combat-related injuries or had received a Meritorious Service Citation Certificate from the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. Awards were retroactive to any soldier wounded from the Civil War on; eligible recipients were required to submit a formal application to the War Department. In 1942, the Army estimated that 186,000 living veterans were eligible to receive a retroactive Purple Heart; about 78,000 retroactive Purple Hearts were awarded between 1932 and 1942. The Purple Heart was authorized by the Navy in 1942; and

WHEREAS, in April 1942, the War Department amended its policy of issuing the Purple Heart, authorizing the posthumous award. Today, the criteria have been amended to include those killed or wounded as a result of "an international terrorist attack" and "as part of a peacekeeping force"; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is to foster an environment of goodwill among the combat-wounded veteran members and their families, promote patriotism, support legislative initiatives and most importantly make sure we never forget; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi has a large, highly-decorated veteran population including many Purple Heart recipients. Mississippi appreciates the sacrifices our Purple Heart recipients made in defending our freedoms and believes it is important that we acknowledge them for their courage and show them the honor and support they have earned:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby designate the State of Mississippi as

"A PURPLE HEART STATE"

to honor and encourage citizens to show their appreciation for the sacrifices our Purple Heart recipients have made in defending our freedoms, to acknowledge the courage of Mississippians who received the Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered in combat and to show them the honor and support they have earned.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That this resolution be transmitted to the Mississippi Department of Military Affairs for proper distribution to the various veterans organizations of our state and to the Military Order of the Purple Heart and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.