102 STAT. 4932 Oct. 21, 1988 [H. Con. Res. 126]
CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS—OCT. 21, 1988 NATIONAL PURPLE HEART MUSEUM— RECOGNITION A N D S U P P O R T
Whereas George Washington, at his headquarters in Newburgh, New York, on August 7, 1782, devised the Badge of Military Merit (the antecedent of the Purple Heart) to be given to enlisted men and noncommissioned officers for meritorious action; Whereas the Badge of Military Merit became popularly known as the "Purple Heart" because it consisted of the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk edged with narrow lace or binding and was affixed to the uniform coat above the left breast; Whereas three Badges of Military Merit were awarded during the Revolutionary War, all to volunteers from Connecticut; Whereas the first recipient of "the Badge of Military Merit was probably Sergeant Elijah Churchill, a carpenter from Enfield, Connecticut; Whereas Sergeant Churchill, who served in several units including the 2d Continental Light Dragoon Regiment, was cited for gallantry in three separate actions and was awarded the Badge of Military Merit by George Washington at his headquarters, Newburgh, New York, on May 3, 1783; Whereas the Badge of Military Merit was redesignated by General Douglas MacArthur as the Purple Heart in February 1932, to be awarded to persons killed or wounded in action against an enemy of the United States; and Whereas the National Purple Heart Museum Committee is developing the National Purple Heart Museum in Enfield, Connecticut, to honor those individuals awarded the Purple Heart and to inform and educate the people of the United States about the history and importance of this distinguished combat award: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring). That the Congress recognizes and supports the efforts of the National Purple Heart Museum Committee to develop the National Purple Heart Museum in Enfield, Connecticut, and encourages the people of the United States to participate in the development of such museum. Agreed to October 21, 1988.
Oct. 21, 1988 [H. Con. Res. 331]
IROQUOIS CONFEDERACY AND INDIAN NATIONS—RECOGNIZING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNITED STATES Whereas the original framers of the Constitution, including, most notably, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, are known to have greatly admired the concepts of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy; Whereas the confederation of the original Thirteen Colonies into one republic was influenced by the political system developed by the Iroquois Confederacy as were many of the democratic principles which were incorporated into the Constitution itself; and. Whereas, since the formation of the United States, the Congress has recognized the sovereign status of Indian tribes and has, through
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