S*1048(Rat #0374, Act #0342 of 2000)  General Bill, By Moore
 A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 3, TITLE 53 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 53-3-120, SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE THIRD SATURDAY IN
 FEBRUARY EACH YEAR AS PURPLE HEART DAY IN SOUTH CAROLINA, TO PAY TRIBUTE TO
 THE ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART FOR MILITARY MERIT AND THE EXCEPTIONAL MEN AND
 WOMEN WHO HAVE RECEIVED THIS DECORATION.

   01/19/00  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-6
   01/19/00  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-6
   02/02/00  Senate Committee report: Favorable Judiciary SJ-10
   02/03/00  Senate Read second time SJ-26
   02/03/00  Senate Unanimous consent for third reading on next
                     legislative day SJ-26
   02/04/00  Senate Read third time and sent to House SJ-1
   02/08/00  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-12
   02/08/00  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-12
   05/24/00  House  Committee report: Favorable Judiciary HJ-2
   05/25/00  House  Read second time HJ-23
   05/25/00  House  Unanimous consent for third reading on next
                     legislative day HJ-24
   05/26/00  House  Read third time and enrolled HJ-3
   05/31/00         Ratified R 374
   06/06/00         Signed By Governor
   06/06/00         Effective date 06/06/00
   06/20/00         Copies available
   06/20/00         Act No. 342

AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 3, TITLE 53, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 53-3-120, SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE THIRD SATURDAY IN FEBRUARY EACH YEAR AS PURPLE HEART DAY IN SOUTH CAROLINA, TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART FOR MILITARY MERIT AND THE EXCEPTIONAL MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE RECEIVED THIS DECORATION.

Whereas, the Order of the Purple Heart for Military Merit, commonly called "The Purple Heart", is the oldest military decoration in the world in present use and the first award made available to a common soldier; and

Whereas, General Washington conceived of and authorized this eloquent and forceful symbol of citizen responsibility in his General Orders of August 7, 1782, after being deprived by the Continental Congress of his usual means of reward for soldiers serving in the Revolutionary War; and

Whereas, the United States War Department revived the Purple Heart decoration on February 22, 1932, which has since been awarded to more than 800,000 men and women from all walks of life, religions, creeds, and ethnicity; and

Whereas, the Purple Heart, definitely a combat decoration, is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of an Armed Force or any civilian national of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the United States Armed Services after April 5, 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded; and

Whereas, the "Military Order for the Purple Heart", the only strictly combat organization in existence, was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all who have received the decoration and is composed exclusively of Purple Heart recipients; and

Whereas, the Purple Heart was created to "cherish virtuous ambition in soldiers as well as foster and encourage every species of military merit," and to honor "not only instances of unusual gallantry but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service". Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Purple Heart Day

SECTION 1. Chapter 3, Title 53 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 53-3-120. The third Saturday in February each year is designated as Purple Heart Day in South Carolina to honor the decoration itself and those men and women who have received it."

Time effective

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 31st day of May, 2000.

Approved the 6th day of June, 2000.