TANNER HELPS HONOR MILITARY
ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART

WASHINGTON -- The House of Representatives would officially acknowledge 75 years of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and honor the men and women who have received the prestigious honor under a resolution Congressman John Tanner has co-sponsored.

“The Purple Heart is a strong symbol of the sacrifices of millions of American service members and their families,” Tanner said about H. Con. Res 49. “Especially at this point in our nation’s history, it is important to honor the courageous contributions of the men and women who have been wounded or killed in action.”

More than 500,000 Purple Heart recipients are still alive. The medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who are wounded by an instrument of war by the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of members killed in action or who die of wounds received in action.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart was formed in 1932 to support those who have received the award, which was originally conceived 225 years ago by Gen. George Washington as the Badge of Military Merit.

Tanner represents Tennessee’s 8^th Congressional district in west and middle Tennessee. A veteran of the U.S. Navy and the Tennessee Army National Guard, Tanner serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and is chairman of the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

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Contact: Randy Ford, 202.225.4714