Calling upon all Americans on this Memorial Day, 2025, to honor the men and women of the Armed Forces who have died in the pursuit of freedom and peace.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 444
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-23: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-29T15:58:50Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 444) aims to encourage all Americans to observe Memorial Day on May 26, 2025, as a day of remembrance for U.S. Armed Forces members who died while serving to protect freedom and promote peace. It emphasizes national gratitude for their sacrifices and underscores the importance of honoring these patriots.
Key Provisions
- Background Clauses ("Whereas"):
- Recognizes that preserving freedoms and world peace is a core national goal.
- Notes that over one million U.S. service members have died in service as peacemakers and peacekeepers.
- Stresses the need for ongoing public appreciation and commemoration of their ultimate sacrifices.
- Describes Memorial Day as a time to remember these defenders, buried worldwide, and to affirm faith in democracy, American values, and the triumph of just causes.
- Resolved Actions:
- Calls on the people of the United States to mark Memorial Day 2025 as a special day to honor fallen service members who pursued freedom and peace.
- Expresses that this observance should reflect the respect, pride, and admiration shared by Americans and those liberated by U.S. and allied forces.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, not a law or bill that amends statutes. It introduces no changes to existing legal frameworks, such as federal holidays or military honors. Memorial Day is already a federal holiday established by law (5 U.S.C. § 6103), observed on the last Monday of May to honor fallen soldiers.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Encourages voluntary participation in remembrance activities, such as ceremonies or moments of silence, fostering national unity and patriotism without mandating actions.
- On Government Agencies: Minimal direct impact; it may prompt the Department of Defense or Veterans Affairs to promote related events, but it imposes no new requirements or funding.
- On International Relations: Symbolic reinforcement of U.S. commitment to global peace and alliances, potentially strengthening ties with partner nations through shared values of sacrifice and freedom, but no tangible policy shifts.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- American Citizens: Primary audience, urged to participate in observances.
- Families and Veterans: Those directly impacted by military losses, who may feel recognized and supported through this call to remembrance.
- U.S. Military and Armed Forces Community: Honors the legacy of fallen service members and active-duty personnel.
- Bipartisan Congress Members: Introduced by a diverse group of representatives from both parties, highlighting broad political support.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution, it requires only House approval and has no force of law, similar to other ceremonial measures. It aligns with the Constitution's allowance for Congress to express national sentiments (Article I, Section 5).
- Constitutional: No challenges; it promotes free expression and assembly for remembrance without infringing on rights.
- Political: Demonstrates rare bipartisan consensus (introduced by 30+ members across parties), serving as a unifying gesture amid divisions. It could influence public discourse on military service and patriotism but carries no enforceable obligations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (43)
Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8], Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27], Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Walberg, Tim [R-MI-5], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41], Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6], Rep. Strong, Dale W. [R-AL-5], Rep. Green, Mark E. [R-TN-7], Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-23: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-05-23: Submitted in House
- 2025-05-23: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Calling upon all Americans on this Memorial Day, 2025, to honor the men and women of the Armed Forces who have died in the pursuit of freedom and peace. — issued 2025-05-23 — PDF (2 pages)