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HR 491

A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to enact legislation designating the Green Star Service Banner as a national emblem honoring families of members of the United States Armed Forces and veterans who died by suicide.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz and 17 co-sponsors

Pennsylvania HR 491 urges Congress to designate the Green Star Service Banner as a national emblem honoring families of service members and veterans who died by suicide.

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Bill Summary · HR 491

Summary of Pennsylvania HR 491 (2023-2024 Regular Session)

Note: The information below reflects the bill as introduced and any publicly available actions through the latest committee/house actions. The bill title, history, and sponsor information are drawn from the provided text. If there are later amendments or changes in the 2025-2026 session, they may alter the scope or status.

Title and Purpose

  • Official Title: A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to enact legislation designating the Green Star Service Banner as a national emblem honoring families of members of the United States Armed Forces and veterans who died by suicide.
  • This is a nonbinding concurrent resolution (a resolution of the Pennsylvania House, typically urging federal action) rather than a bill that would enact state law.

Main Intent

  • The resolution seeks federal action to designate the Green Star Service Banner as a national emblem.
  • The emblem would honor:
    • Families of members of the U.S. Armed Forces
    • Veterans who died by suicide

Key Provisions and Changes Proposed

  • Designation Request: Encourages the United States Congress to pass legislation creating an official national emblem—the Green Star Service Banner.
  • Scope of Recognition: Specifically honors the families of military personnel who died in service and veterans who died by suicide.
  • Nonbinding Nature: As a state-level resolution, it expresses the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s wish orrecommendation to Congress, not a direct state mandate or creation of state law.

Who or What Would Be Affected

  • Primary Beneficiaries:
    • Families of service members who died in service
    • Veterans who died by suicide
  • Broader Impact:
    • Elevates awareness of service-related deaths and the impact on families
    • Could influence federal recognition programs or symbolism if Congress acts on the resolution

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Sponsor and Co-Sponsors: Reps. Jill Cooper (Prime Sponsor) with several listed co-sponsors (as reflected in the provided history). A broad set of co-sponsors indicates cross-party and cross-district support.
  • Referral and Committee Path:
    • Referred to the House Committee on Tourism & Economic & Recreational Development (June 28, 2024).
    • Substantive action: The committee reported the bill as committed on Sept. 30, 2024, with 25 yes votes and 0 no votes in that committee vote.
  • House Action:
    • The bill proceeded through the standard resolution process in the Pennsylvania House and reached the floor after committee reporting.
  • Status as of Latest Text:
    • The provided action history shows activity through September 30, 2024 (committee reporting). A later update in the action history indicates a more recent move in 2026: “Referred to Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness” (April 23, 2026). This suggests potential reintroduction or cross-reference in a newer session, or a procedural referral in a subsequent legislative cycle.

Practical Implications

  • Since the resolution is nonbinding, it does not create any Pennsylvania law or state government obligations beyond signaling support and urging federal action.
  • If Congress acts to designate the Green Star Service Banner, the emblem would become a federal symbol recognizing the specified groups.
  • The resolution could serve as a basis for advocacy, awareness campaigns, or related commemorative activities within Pennsylvania.

Bottom Line

HR 491 is a nonbinding Pennsylvania House resolution urging Congress to designate the Green Star Service Banner as a national emblem to honor families of service members who died in service and veterans who died by suicide. It has garnered committee support with unanimous committee votes in the 2023-2024 session and shows continued legislative activity into the 2025-2026 session.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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