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.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 27th day of May, 2016.

	s/	 Kathy Harrington
	 Presiding Officer of the Senate

	s/	 Paul Stam
	 Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives