Government Glossary

Memorial

Short Definition

Written statement or petition presented to Congress by the legislature of a state or territory that may affect the.

Long Explanation

Written statement or petition presented to Congress by the legislature of a state or territory that may affect the proceedings of a committee or Congress in general. Memorials may be referred by a Member of the House of Representatives. The Senate does not differentiate between memorials and petitions.

In practice, Memorial is useful because it helps a visitor connect a word or phrase to government records, official decisions, public services, or civic responsibilities. When you see the term in an official source, ask which office has authority, what decision is being made, which deadline or rule matters, and where the public record can be checked.

Examples

Simple exampleA visitor sees “Memorial” on an official page and uses the term as a clue about which agency, branch, rule, record, or service is involved.

Civic exampleA reader checks the official source, identifies who has authority, and follows related Guide pages when the term connects to a larger public issue.

Common Misconception

A common mistake is treating Memorial as a slogan instead of a term connected to a specific public process. The safest approach is to ask what authority, document, deadline, office, or public record gives the term its meaning.

Related Terms

Legislative ProcessCongress CommitteesSenateHouse

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