Introduced in House

[Congressional Bills 112th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 1339 Introduced in House (IH)] 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1339 To amend title 32, United States Code, the body of laws of the United States dealing with the National Guard, to recognize the City of Salem, Massachusetts, as the Birthplace of the National Guard of the United States. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 1, 2011 Mr. Tierney (for himself, Mr. Markey, Mr. Frank of Massachusetts, Mr. Neal, Mr. Olver, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Tsongas, and Mr. Keating) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title 32, United States Code, the body of laws of the United States dealing with the National Guard, to recognize the City of Salem, Massachusetts, as the Birthplace of the National Guard of the United States. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, AS THE

SECTION 1. OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, AS THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE NATIONAL GUARD OF THE UNITED STATES. (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings: (1) In 1629, Captain John Endicott organized the first militia in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in Salem. (2) The colonists had adopted the English militia system, which required all males between the ages of 16 and 60 to possess arms and participate in the defense of the community. (3) In 1636, the Massachusetts General Court ordered the organization of three militia regiments, designated as the North, South, and East regiments. (4) These regiments drilled once a week and provided guard details each evening to sound the alarm in case of attack. (5) The East Regiment, the predecessor of the 101st Engineer Battalion, assembled as a regiment for the first time in 1637 on the Salem Common, marking the beginning of the Massachusetts National Guard and the National Guard of the United States. (6) Since 1785, Salem's own Second Corps of Cadets (101st and 102nd Field Artillery) has celebrated the anniversary of that first muster. (7) As the policy contained in section 102 of title 32, United States Code, clearly expresses, the National Guard continues its historic mission of providing units for the first line defense of the United States and current missions throughout the world. (8) The designation of the City of Salem, Massachusetts, as the Birthplace of the National Guard of the United States will contribute positively to tourism and economic development in the city, create jobs, and instill pride in both the local and State communities. (b) Recognition.--Section 102 of title 32, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by striking ``In accordance'' and inserting ``(a) Statement of Policy.--In accordance''; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(b) Recognition of Salem, Massachusetts, as National Guard Birthplace.--The City of Salem, Massachusetts, the site of the first muster of a militia regiment in 1637 in what became the United States, is hereby recognized as the Birthplace of the National Guard of the United States.''.