Res. No. 577 Title Resolution calling upon the United States to pass S. Con. Res. 152 designating August 7th, 2003 as "National Purple Heart Recognition Day." Body By Council Member Nelson and The Speaker (Council Member Miller), and Council Members Serrano, Clarke, Fidler, Gallagher, Gerson, Golden, Sears, Davis, Diaz, Felder, Gennaro, Jackson, Jennings, Katz, McMahon, Quinn, Recchia, Sanders, Stewart, Weprin, DeBlasio, Lanza and Oddo Whereas, Much of our success as a nation-much of the peace and prosperity we take for granted-is due in large measure to the success of our fighting forces, men and women of remarkable character whose tremendous sacrifices have helped shape and inform the modern world, individuals whose legacy has ensured the safety, progress and prosperity of our country for generations to come; and Whereas, Many who have answered the call to duty have done so with exceptional valor, commitment and courage, throwing themselves selflessly into the maelstrom of waged battle and risking their lives in order to protect the fine principles of democracy that have made our nation great; and Whereas, There are numerous awards and honors that our country bestows upon the meritorious brave men and women of our fighting forces, but perhaps none more important or distinguished than the Purple Heart; and Whereas, The Order of the Purple Heart for Military Merit, commonly known as the Purple heart, is the oldest military decoration in the world in present use; and Whereas, 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; and Whereas, The Purple Heart was established on August 7, 1782, 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; and Whereas, The award of the Purple Heart ceased with the end of the Revolutionary War, but was revived out of respect for the memory and military achievements of George Washington in 1932, the 200th anniversary of his birth; and Whereas, The designation of August 7, 2003, as `National Purple Heart Recognition Day' is a fitting tribute to General Washington and to the over 1,535,000 recipients of the Purple Heart Medal, approximately 550,000 of whom are still living; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Senate to pass S. Con. Res. 152 designating August 7th, 2003 as "National Purple Heart Recognition Day." WA LS#1309 D-Res. # 10/30/02