THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY PALLONE, BELFANTI, ADOLPH, BARBIN, BARRAR, BEAR, BISHOP, BOYLE, BRENNAN, BROOKS, BROWN, BUXTON, CALTAGIRONE, CASORIO, CAUSER, CLYMER, CONKLIN, CREIGHTON, DALEY, DeLUCA, DePASQUALE, EVERETT, FAIRCHILD, FLECK, FREEMAN, GEIST, GEORGE, GIBBONS, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, HARHAI, HARKINS, HELM, HESS, HICKERNELL, HORNAMAN, HOUGHTON, W. KELLER, KILLION, KORTZ, KOTIK, KULA, LENTZ, MANDERINO, MANN, MARKOSEK, MARSICO, MATZIE, McCALL, McGEEHAN, McILVAINE SMITH, MELIO, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MILLER, M. KELLER, MUNDY, MURPHY, MURT, M. O'BRIEN, PETRARCA, PHILLIPS, PICKETT, QUINN, READSHAW, REICHLEY, ROSS, SABATINA, SAINATO, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SIPTROTH, K. SMITH, SOLOBAY, STABACK, STEVENSON, SWANGER, TALLMAN, R. TAYLOR, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WANSACZ AND WATSON, MARCH 19, 2010

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, MARCH 19, 2010  

AN ACT

Designating March 29 of each year as "Welcome Home Vietnam

Veterans Day."

WHEREAS, The Vietnam Conflict was fought from 1961 to 1975;

and

WHEREAS, The United States became involved in the Vietnam

Conflict because policymakers in the United States believed that

if South Vietnam fell to a Communist government, Communism would

spread throughout the rest of Southeast Asia; and

WHEREAS, In 1965, there were approximately 80,000 United

States troops in Vietnam, and by 1969, a peak of about 543,000

troops was reached; and

WHEREAS, More than 58,000 members of the United States Armed

Forces lost their lives in the Vietnam Conflict, and more than

300,000 were wounded; and

WHEREAS, According to the Commonwealth's military records,

more than 3,400 Pennsylvanians were killed in the Vietnam

Conflict and many more were listed as "missing in action"; and

WHEREAS, The uniquely divisive nature of the Vietnam Conflict

in the context of American history and the crossfire of debate

about the country's involvement in the conflict deprived many

members of the United States Armed Forces of public support and

appreciation for their patriotic service; and

WHEREAS, The bravery and service of our country's Vietnam

Conflict veterans should be recognized and honored.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.

March 29 of each year is designated as "Welcome Home Vietnam

Veterans Day." The Governor shall issue annually a proclamation

calling upon all public schools and educational institutions to

observe "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" and to conduct

exercises recognizing the contributions of all those involved in

the Vietnam Conflict and remembering the sacrifices they made

for their country.

Section 2.  Effective date.

This act shall take effect immediately.