WHEREAS, The preservation of basic freedoms and world peace has always been a valued objective of this great country; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of American men and women have selflessly given their lives in service as peacemakers and peacekeepers; and

WHEREAS, Greater strides should be made to demonstrate the appreciation and gratitude that these loyal Americans deserve and to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice that they have made; and

WHEREAS, Memorial Day should be a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice: by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes, by visiting memorials, by flying the United States flag at half-staff until noon, and by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our fallen dead; and

WHEREAS, Memorial Day is the day of the year for all Californians to appropriately remember American heroes by inviting the citizens of this state to respectfully honor them; and

WHEREAS, Memorial Day needs to be made relevant to both present and future generations of Americans; and

WHEREAS, A National Moment of Remembrance would provide citizens in California an opportunity to participate in a symbolic act of American unity; now, therefore, be it