Supporting the designation of the week of September 21 through September 27, 2025, as "Gold Star Families Remembrance Week".

Bill Number

H.Res. 744

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-09-18: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Last Updated

2025-12-19T09:08:11Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 744) aims to recognize and honor the sacrifices of families who have lost loved ones in military service. It supports designating the week of September 21 through September 27, 2025—and annually thereafter—as "Gold Star Families Remembrance Week." The resolution builds on the existing "Gold Star Mother's Day," observed on the last Sunday in September, to extend remembrance to all affected family members, not just mothers.

Key Provisions

• Designation Support: The House of Representatives endorses an annual "Gold Star Families Remembrance Week" to symbolize and commemorate families of those who died serving in the U.S. Armed Forces (represented by the "gold star" emblem).
• Honoring Sacrifices: It explicitly recognizes the contributions of families of fallen service members and veterans, emphasizing their role in inspiring national unity and service.
• Encouragement for Observance: Urges the public to participate by performing community acts of service and goodwill, and by celebrating the lives of those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect freedoms like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no enforceable changes to U.S. law. It references but does not alter the statutory designation of "Gold Star Mother's Day" under section 111 of title 36, United States Code (established in 1936). Instead, it proposes a complementary, symbolic expansion to include broader family remembrance without creating new legal requirements.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: Promotes public awareness and voluntary community engagement, potentially fostering greater appreciation for military families and encouraging acts of kindness or service during the designated week.
• On Government Agencies: Minimal direct impact, as it is symbolic; however, it may prompt voluntary recognitions by agencies like the Department of Defense or Veterans Affairs through events or statements.
• On International Relations: No notable effects, as the focus is domestic and centered on U.S. military sacrifices.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Gold Star Families: Immediate families of service members who died in the line of duty, who receive formal recognition of their ongoing sacrifices.
• Veterans' Families: Broader groups supporting living veterans, honored for their contributions to national service.
• Military Community: Active-duty members, veterans, and related organizations (e.g., American Gold Star Mothers), who may use the week for outreach and support.
• General Public: Encouraged to participate, potentially increasing community involvement in honoring military service.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: As a simple resolution, it carries no force of law and requires no presidential approval or Senate concurrence. It operates within Congress's power to express sentiments under Article I of the U.S. Constitution.
• Constitutional: No conflicts; it aligns with free expression and does not infringe on rights, focusing on voluntary commemoration.
• Political: Demonstrates strong bipartisan support (introduced by over 70 members from both parties), signaling congressional unity on military family issues. It could influence future observances or related legislation but has limited binding effect.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]

Cosponsors (72)

Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Stutzman, Marlin A. [R-IN-3], Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6], Rep. Loudermilk, Barry [R-GA-11], Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2], Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2], Rep. Flood, Mike [R-NE-1], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. Mills, Cory [R-FL-7], Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Bean, Aaron [R-FL-4], Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27] and 22 more

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-18: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-09-18: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-09-18: Submitted in House
• 2025-09-18: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Supporting the designation of the week of September 21 through September 27, 2025, as "Gold Star Families Remembrance Week". — issued 2025-09-18 — PDF (3 pages)