WHEREAS, people throughout history have performed heroic acts as a matter of personal choice in the midst of combat; and

WHEREAS, the Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest combat award in the United States and only a small percentage of the millions of people who have served this country in war, police actions or other conflicts have received it; and

WHEREAS, the first Congressional Medal of Honor awards were presented to six men on March 25, 1863, by the Secretary of War; and

WHEREAS, of the 139 living recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, seven reside in Washington State; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting that we honor the heroic citizens who have achieved this award by exhibiting courage significantly beyond the call of duty;

NOW THEREFORE, I, Gary Locke, Governor of the state of Washington, do hereby proclaim March 25th, 2003, as Congressional Medal of Honor Day in Washington State, and I urge all citizens to join me in this special observance.

Signed on this 26th day of February, 2003
Governor Gary Locke