Bill Text: WV HB4493 | 2012 | Regular Session | Enrolled

West Virginia House Bill 4493 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Establishing special memorial days for certain military veterans

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2012-04-10 - Chapter 200, Acts, 2012 [HB4493 Detail]

Download: West_Virginia-2012-HB4493-Enrolled.html

ENROLLED

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

H. B. 4493

(By Delegates Ashley, Anderson, Iaquinta, White,

Azinger, Armstead, Paxton, Boggs and Pasdon)

[Passed February 29, 2012 ; in effect 90 days from passage.]

AN ACT to amend and reenact §2-2-1a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to observing the week in which December 7 falls as a special memorial week to be known as Pearl Harbor and Military Appreciation Week; directing the State Department of Education to implement a program involving students which recognizes the contributions made by West Virginians in the United States military; establishing special memorial days for certain military veterans; declaring March 30 as a special memorial day to be known as Vietnam Veteran Recognition Day; declaring August 7 as a special memorial day to be known as Purple Heart Recognition Day; and declaring July 27 as a special memorial day to be known as Korean War Veteran Recognition Day.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That §2-2-1a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:

ARTICLE 2. LEGAL HOLIDAYS; SPECIAL MEMORIAL DAYS; CONSTRUCTION OF STATUTES; DEFINITIONS.

§2-2-1a. Special memorial days.

(a) The Governor shall, by proclamation, declare the week beginning with the Sunday before Thanksgiving as a special memorial week to be known as Native American Indian Heritage Week.

(b) The first Tuesday after the first Monday of November is designated Susan B. Anthony Day and shall only be a legal holiday in all years ending in an even number. The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation calling on all schools, civic organizations, government departments and citizens to undertake activities on the designated day and surrounding days to pay tribute to the accomplishments of Susan B. Anthony in securing the civil and political rights of all Americans, including securing equal voting rights for women.

(c) The Governor shall, by proclamation, declare the week during which December 7 falls to be a special memorial week, to be known as Pearl Harbor and Military Appreciation week, honoring all West Virginians who fought in World War II and all other military conflicts and shall encourage all municipalities in the state to do the same. The State Department of Education is directed to implement a program involving activities in which students shall participate which shall recognize the contributions West Virginians have made to their country through service in the United States military.

(d) The Governor shall, by proclamation, declare March 30 as a special memorial day to be known as Vietnam Veteran Recognition Day honoring all West Virginians who served in the United States Armed Forces in the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning February 28, 1961 and ending May 7, 1975, and shall encourage all counties and municipalities in the state to do the same.

(e) The Governor shall, by proclamation, declare August 7 as a special memorial day, to be known as Purple Heart Recognition Day, honoring all West Virginians who, while serving in the United States Armed Forces, have been wounded or killed in action and shall encourage all municipalities and counties in the state to do the same.

(f) The Governor shall, by proclamation, declare July 27 as a special memorial day to be known as Korean War Veteran Recognition Day honoring all West Virginians who served in the United States Armed Forces in the Korean War, and shall encourage all counties and municipalities in the state to do the same.