Download This Version in Microsoft Word format
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
COMMITTEE REPORT
February 12, 2004
S. 893
S. Printed 2/12/04--S.
Read the first time February 3, 2004.
To whom was referred a Bill (S. 893) to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, by adding Section 53-3-165 so as to provide that the third Friday in September of each year is declared, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Page 2, beginning on Line 6, by striking SECTION 2 and inserting therein the following:
/ SECTION 2. Chapter 3, Title 53 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 53-3-165. (A) The third Friday in September of each year is declared to be 'POW/MIA Recognition Day' in South Carolina. The Governor shall issue a proclamation each year calling upon the people of South Carolina to observe 'POW/MIA Recognition Day' with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
(B) Flags atop state and local public buildings, including the State Capitol Building, shall be flown at half-staff at least until noon on 'POW/MIA Recognition Day'.
(C) The POW/MIA flag shall be flown or displayed on 'POW/MIA Recognition Day' in South Carolina on the grounds or in public lobbies if the flags are provided.
(D) Definition - As used in this section, the term 'POW/MIA flag' means the National League of Families POW/MIA flag recognized officially and designated by Section 2 of Public Law 101-355." /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
WILLIAM MESCHER for Committee.
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, BY ADDING SECTION 53-3-165 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE THIRD FRIDAY IN SEPTEMBER OF EACH YEAR IS DECLARED TO BE "POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA, TO PROVIDE THAT THE GOVERNOR SHALL ISSUE A PROCLAMATION EACH YEAR CALLING UPON THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO OBSERVE "POW/MIA DAY" WITH APPROPRIATE CEREMONIES AND ACTIVITIES, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE FLAGS ATOP STATE AND LOCAL PUBLIC BUILDINGS, INCLUDING THE STATE CAPITOL BUILDING, SHALL BE FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF UNTIL NOON ON "POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY".
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds that:
(1) the United States has fought in many wars and conflicts, most recently in Afghanistan and Iraq; and
(2) thousands of Americans who served in those wars and conflicts were captured by the enemy or listed as missing in action; and
(3) many American prisoners of war were subjected to brutal and inhumane treatment by their enemy captors in violation of international codes and customs for the treatment of prisoners of war, and many such prisoners of war died from such treatment; and
(4) many of these Americans are still listed as missing and unaccounted for, and the uncertainty surrounding their fates has caused their families to suffer acute and continuing hardships; and
(5) the sacrifices of Americans still missing and unaccounted for from all our nation's wars and conflicts and their families are deserving of recognition and support for continued priority efforts to determine the fate of those missing Americans.
SECTION 2. Chapter 3, Title 53 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 53-3-165. (A) The third Friday in September of each year is declared to be 'POW/MIA Recognition Day' in South Carolina. The Governor shall issue a proclamation each year calling upon the people of South Carolina to observe 'POW/MIA Recognition Day' with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
(B) Flags atop state and local public buildings, including the State Capitol Building, shall be flown at half-staff until noon on 'POW/MIA Recognition Day'."
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 10:22 A.M.