Amended in Assembly August 15, 2016

California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

House Resolution No. 63

Introduced by Assembly Members begin delete Rendon, Salas, and Irwin end delete begin insert Salas, Irwin, and Rendon end insert

August 11, 2016

House Resolution No. 63—Relative to begin delete Gold Star Families. end delete begin insert Gold Star Mothers’ and Families’ Day. end insert

WHEREAS, The history of Gold Star Families began in the
United States shortly after World War I to provide support for
mothers who lost sons or daughters in the war; and

WHEREAS, The reference to the Gold Star comes from the
custom of families of servicemen or servicewomen hanging a
service flag in the window of their homes displaying a blue star
for every living family member in the service and a gold star for
those who have perished; and

WHEREAS, The United States began observing Gold Star
Mothers’ Day on the last Sunday of September in 1936, and the
Gold Star Wives was formed before the end of World War II; and

WHEREAS, Since 2009, United States President Barack Obama
has issued annual proclamations designating the last Sunday in
September as Gold Star Mothers’ and Families’ Day; and

WHEREAS, The strength of our military is built upon the men
and women who serve in uniform and the families who support
them; and

WHEREAS, Since the start of the War on Terrorism more than
6,800 members of the United States Armed Forces have lost their
lives; and

WHEREAS, The families of our fallen soldiers have made a
tremendous sacrifice on behalf of our country; and

WHEREAS, All Gold Star Families deserve to be recognized
by our local, state, and federal leaders for their sacrifices and for
their dedicated and patriotic support of the United States; and

WHEREAS, Supporting Gold Star Families who have lost loved
ones to combat demonstrates the commitment of the American
people to those families now and in the begin delete future; now, therefore, be
it end delete begin insert future; and end insert

begin insert

WHEREAS, As a nation, we must continually look for new ways
to support Gold Star Families both in the days immediately
following the tragedy and in the years that follow; now, therefore,
be it

end insert

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, begin delete That as a
nation we must continually look for new ways to support Gold
Star Families both in the days immediately following the tragedy
and in the years that follow; and be it further end delete begin insert end insert begin insert That the Assembly
hereby proclaims September 25, 2016, as Gold Star Mothers’ and
Families’ Day in California; and be it further end insert

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly shall transmit
copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.