AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.B. 1373 establishes and promotes a nationally recognized flag that would fly as a visible reminder to all Americans of the lives lost in defense of our national freedoms. The Honor and Remember Flag signifies all military lives lost not only in action but also in service, from our nation's inception.
The Honor and Remember Flag recognizes the ultimate sacrifice made by members of the United States military in service to our nation. Currently, 14 states (Arizona, Delaware, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia) have adopted the Honor and Remember Flag as their state symbol of remembrance.
S.B. 1373 directs each state office building to fly the Honor and Remember Flag on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day, Gold Star Mother's Day, Veteran's Day, and whenever a resident of this state is a military casualty.
S.B. 1373 amends current law relating to display of the Honor and Remember Flag.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 2165, Government Code, by adding Section 2165.0065, as follows:
Sec. 2165.0065. DISPLAY OF HONOR AND REMEMBER FLAG. (a) Defines, in this section, "Honor and Remember flag."
(b) Authorizes the Honor and Remember flag to be displayed at each state office building, at the State Cemetery under Section 2165.256 (State Cemetery and Other Burial Grounds), and at each veterans cemetery managed by the Veterans' Land Board on:
(1) the third Saturday in May, "Armed Forces Day";
(2) the last Monday in May, "Memorial Day";
(3) the last Sunday in September, "Gold Star Mother's Day";
(4) the 11th day of November, "Veterans Day"; and
(5) any date on which a resident of this state is killed while serving on active duty in the armed forces of the United States.
SECTION 2. Provides that the Honor and Remember flag is designated as the symbol of our state's concern and commitment to honoring and remembering the lives of all members of the United States armed forces who have lost their lives while serving or as a result of their services and their families.
SECTION 3. Provides that the Honor and Remember flag's red field represents the blood shed by brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for freedom, and the flag's white border recognizes the purity of that sacrifice. Provides that the flag's blue star is a symbol of active service in military conflict that dates back to World War I. Provides that the flag's gold star signifies the ultimate sacrifice of a warrior in active service who is not returning home and reflects the value of the life given. Provides that the folded flag element highlights this nation's final tribute to a fallen service member and a family's sacrifice. Provides that the flag's flame symbolizes the eternal spirit of the departed.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.