Memorial Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet

Memorial Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet

Memorial Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet
Updated May 12, 2023
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
R43973

Memorial Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet

Introduction
Memorial Day is a day of reflection and remembrance of those who died while serving in the
U.S. military. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials and
placing wreaths. They may also participate in a Memorial Day parade or hold a family gathering,
such as a barbeque. Memorial Day also unofficially marks the beginning of summer.
This guide is designed to assist congressional offices with work related to celebrating Memorial
Day.
History
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, began as a day for honoring troops who died
during the Civil War. The date and location of the first local observance is disputed. On May 30,
1868, the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union Civil War veterans, called for
the first national observance by its members. In 1888, Congress passed an act making May 30 a
holiday in the District of Columbia. Memorial Day is now officially observed on the last Monday
in May as proscribed in the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
Legislation
36 U.S.C. §116
Uniform Monday Holiday Act (5 U.S.C. §6103)
National Moment of Remembrance Act (P.L. 106-579)
CRS Reports
The Congressional Research Service has several reports detailing the history of federal holidays
and addressing military casualties, including
CRS Report R43539, Commemorations in Congress: Options for Honoring Individuals, Groups,
and Events, coordinated by Jacob R. Straus.
CRS Report R41990, Federal Holidays: Evolution and Current Practices, by Jacob R. Straus.
CRS Report RL32492, American War and Military Operations Casualties: Lists and Statistics, by
David A. Blum and Nese F. DeBruyne.
CRS In Focus IF10899, Trends in Active-Duty Military Deaths From 2006 Through 2021, by
Hannah Fischer.
CRS Report RS22452, A Guide to U.S. Military Casualty Statistics: Operation Freedom’s
Sentinel, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation New Dawn, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and
Operation Enduring Freedom, by Hannah Fischer.
Sample Congressional Speeches and Recognitions
Members of Congress often make floor statements, issue press releases, or enter Extensions of
Remarks into the Congressional Record to recognize federal holidays and observances. The
following are some recent examples from the Congressional Record:
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Memorial Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet

Senator Richard J. Durbin, “Memorial Day,” remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, daily
edition, vol. 168 (May 26, 2022), pp. S2740-S2741.
Senator Tommy Tuberville, “Memorial Day,” remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, daily
edition, vol. 168 (May 24, 2022), pp. S2643-S2644.
Representative Glenn Thompson, “Recognizing Memorial Day,” remarks in the House of
Representatives, Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 168 (May 19, 2022), p. H5195.
Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, “Memorial Day Tribute Remembering Those Who Gave the
Last Full Measure of Devotion,” Extensions of Remarks, Congressional Record, daily edition,
vol. 167 (May 28, 2021), pp. E589-E590.
Representative Ken Buck, “Recognizing American Heroes on Memorial Day,” Extensions of
Remarks, Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 167 (May 28, 2021), pp. E591-E592.
Senator Debbie Stabenow, “Memorial Day,” remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, daily
edition, vol. 167 (May 12, 2021), pp. S2481-2482.
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, “Memorial Day,” remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, daily
edition, vol. 166 (May 21, 2020), pp. S2582-S2583.
Senator Ron Wyden, “Observing Memorial Day,” remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record,
daily edition, vol. 166 (May 21, 2020), pp. S2576-S2577.
Presidential Proclamations
One of the many uses of a presidential proclamation is to ceremoniously honor a group or call
attention to certain issues or events. Some recent Memorial Day proclamations, from the
Compilation of Presidential Documents, include
Presidential Proclamations—Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (2021- )
Presidential Proclamations—Donald J. Trump (2017-2020)
Presidential Proclamations—Barack H. Obama (2009-2016)
Presidential Proclamations—George W. Bush (2001-2008)
Presidential proclamations and remarks from 1993 to the present are available through the
govinfo service on the Government Publishing Office website. Earlier remarks are available
through The American Presidency Project, established by the University of California, Santa
Barbara.
Statistics
The Defense Manpower Data Center provides statistics on active duty military deaths as well as
detailed historical tables through the Defense Casualty Analysis System.
Memorial Day is a time to reflect on what veterans have done for the United States. The U.S.
Census Bureau tracks statistics about veterans and provides information and visualizations that
may be useful to include in speeches.
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Memorial Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet

What Can Americans Do to Participate in Memorial
Day?
Part of the Memorial Day observance is the National Moment of Remembrance. This practice
encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3:00 p.m. local time for a moment of
silence to remember and honor those who died in service to the nation.
In many communities, citizens assist veterans with the placement of flags on gravestones in
cemeteries and distribute flags to people participating in parades. The American flag may also be
flown or hung outdoors at an individual’s home.
On Memorial Day, as on Veterans Day, artificial poppies are purchased and the donations are used
to help veterans and their widows, widowers, and children.
For additional information on Memorial Day, flag protocol, and veterans cemeteries, see the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs’ Memorial Day webpage.
Arlington National Cemetery, “Wreath Layings.”
Arlington National Cemetery, “Request a Public Wreath Ceremony.”
Library of Congress, “Today in History – May 30.” Find more historical resources on the Library
of Congress website.
Library of Congress American Folklife Center, “Veterans History Project.” In 2016, the Gold Star
Families Voice Act (P.L. 114-246) expanded the original scope of the Veterans History Project to
include oral histories by immediate family members (parent, spouse, sibling, or child) of
“members of the Armed Forces who died as a result of their service during a period of war.”
National Archives and Records Administration, “Memorial Day: A Commemoration.”
National Park Service, “NPS Commemorations and Celebrations: Memorial Day.”
U.S. Army Center of Military History, “Memorial Day.”
YouTube videos of wreath-laying ceremonies.

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Memorial Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet

Author Information

Elizabeth C. Larson

Senior Knowledge Services Librarian

Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan
shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and
under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other
than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in
connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not
subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in
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