ARMED FORCES COMMEMORATION ACT S.B. 1149: FIRST ANALYSIS




Senate Bill 1149 (as passed by the Senate)
Sponsor: Senator Valde Garcia
Committee: Senior Citizens and Veterans Affairs


Date Completed: 10-7-04

RATIONALE


To honor the heritage of the nation's armed forces and the men and women who served in each branch, some people believe that the State should designate in statute a particular date to commemorate the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. It has been suggested that the anniversary of the founding of each branch be identified as its commemoration date and that the flag of each branch be flown at the State Capitol on the appropriate date.

CONTENT
The bill would create the "Armed Forces Commemoration Act" to recognize the men and women who served in the United States armed forces, specifically the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marines, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Coast Guard. The flags of each branch would have to be flown over the State Capitol building in Lansing on the date of each branch's founding.


The commemoration dates would have to include the following:

-- The U.S. Army on June 14.
-- The U.S. Coast Guard on August 14.
-- The U.S. Air Force on September 18.
-- The U.S. Navy on October 13.
-- The U.S. Marine Corps on November 10.

ARGUMENTS (Please note: The arguments contained in this analysis originate from sources outside the Senate Fiscal Agency. The Senate Fiscal Agency neither supports nor opposes legislation.)

Supporting Argument Designating the founding date of each branch of the U.S. armed forces as its commemoration date and flying the flag of the appropriate branch over the State Capitol on that date would be an easy, yet publicly visible way for the State and its citizens to honor the heritage of the U.S. Army, Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps and to express appreciation for the sacrifices of the men and women serving, or who have served, in each branch of the armed forces.


In addition, according to testimony before the Senate Committee on Senior Citizens and Veterans Affairs, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is willing to purchase the flags for use at the State Capitol, so there would be no cost to the State.


Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on the State or local government.


Fiscal Analyst: Bruce Baker

Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb1149/0304