2013 -- H 5709 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC01344/SUB A/2

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE

FLAG

     Introduced By: Representatives MacBeth, Gallison, Slater, and Almeida

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2013

     Referred To: House Veterans` Affairs

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-4 of the General Laws entitled "State Emblems" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     42-4-19. Honor and remembrance flag. – (a) The honor and remembrance flag created

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by Honor and Remember, Inc., is hereby designated as the state's official emblem of service and

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sacrifice by the brave men and women of the United States armed forces who have given their

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lives in the line of duty and any police personnel, fire personnel, EMTs, rescue personnel, or any

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branch of law enforcement who have lost their lives in the line of duty in response to a terrorist

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activity.

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     (b) Findings. (1) Since the Revolutionary War, more than one million members of the

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United States armed forces have paid the ultimate price by sacrificing their lives in the line of

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duty.

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     (2) The contribution of those fallen members of the armed forces are deserving of

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national recognition.

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     (3) Currently, there is no officially recognized symbol that specifically acknowledges

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members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty.

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     (c) Required display. The honor and remembrance flag shall be displayed at the locations

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specified in subsection (c) on the days specified. The required honor and remembrance flag

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display days are the following:

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     (1) Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May;

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     (2) Memorial Day, the last Monday in May;

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     (3) Flag Day, June 14;

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     (4) Fourth of July;

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     (5) The Victory Day holiday, the second Monday of August; and

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     (6) National POW/MIA Recognition Day;

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     (7) Veterans' Day, November 11;

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     (8) Gold Star Mother's Day, the last Sunday of September;

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     (9) Whenever there is a state military casualty;

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     (d) Locations for flag display. The locations for the display of the honor and

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remembrance flag under subsection (b) are the following:

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     (1) The state capitol building;

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     (2) The building that serves as the location of the superior court in a county;

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     (3) The building that serves as the city or town hall of each incorporated city or town; and

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     (4) Any other state locations that are deemed appropriate for that state.

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     (e) Display to be in a manner visible to the public. Display of the honor and remembrance

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flag pursuant to this section shall be in a manner designed to ensure visibility to the public at state

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military memorials and state veterans' cemeteries.

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     (f) Limitation. This section may not be construed or applied so as to require any

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employee to report to work solely for the purpose of providing for the display of the honor and

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remembrance flag, or any other flag.

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     (g) The honor and remembrance flag created by Honor and Remember, Inc. is designated

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as the symbol of our state's concern and commitment to honoring and remembering the lives of

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all members of the United States armed forces who have lost their lives while serving, or as a

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result of service and their families.

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     The honor and remembrance flag's red field represents the blood shed by brave men and

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women who sacrificed their lives for freedom and the flag's white field and border recognizes the

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purity of that sacrifice. The flag's blue star is a symbol of active service in military conflict that

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dates back to World War I. The flag's gold star signifies the ultimate sacrifice of a warrior in

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active service who is not returning home and reflects the value of the life given. The folded flag

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element highlights this nation's final tribute to a fallen service member and a family's sacrifice.

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The flag's flame symbolizes the eternal spirit of the departed.

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     The honor and remembrance flag is a unifying symbol recognizing this nation's solemn

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debt to the estimated one million six hundred thousand (1,600,000) fallen service members

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throughout history and the families and communities who mourn their loss.

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     (h) Time of display. The flag shall be displayed in a manner visible to the pubic. Display

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of the honor and remembrance flag pursuant to this section shall be in a manner designed to

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ensure visibility to the public.

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     It should be displayed only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary

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flagstaffs in the open. The flag may be displayed twenty-four (24) hours a day if properly

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illuminated during the hours of darkness. It should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.

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It should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather

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flag is displayed.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01344/SUB A/2

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE

FLAG

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     This act would designate the honor and remembrance flag created by Honor and

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Remember, Inc. as the state's official emblem for United States military service members and

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would specify the days and circumstances during which the flag would be displayed.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC01344/SUB A/2

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