COAST GUARD COMMEMORATION DATE S.B. 194: FIRST ANALYSIS
Senate Bill 194 (as enrolled)
Sponsor: Senator Valde Garcia
Committee: Senior Citizens and Veterans Affairs
Date Completed: 2-17-05
RATIONALE
The Armed Forces Commemoration Act was enacted in 2004 to recognize the men and women who served in the various branches of the United States armed forces. Under the Act, the date of the founding of each branch must be commemorated and the flag of each branch must be flown over the State Capitol annually on its commemoration date. The Act lists the commemoration date for the United States Coast Guard as August 14, but the anniversary of the founding of the Coast Guard is August 4.
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Armed Forces Commemoration Act to change the annual commemoration date for the United States Coast Guard from August 14 to August 4.
MCL 435.342
ARGUMENTS
(Please note: The arguments contained in this analysis originate from sources outside the Senate Fiscal Agency. The Senate Fiscal Agency neither supports nor opposes legislation.)
Supporting Argument
Proponents of the 2004 legislation argued that designating the anniversary of the founding date of each branch of the U.S. armed forces as its commemoration date, and flying the flag of the appropriate branch over the State Capitol on that date, is an appropriate and publicly visible way for the State and its citizens to recognize the heritage of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard and to express appreciation for the sacrifices of the individuals who are serving, or have served, in each of those branches. The bill would ensure that the appropriate date was used annually to commemorate the U.S. Coast Guard and its members.
Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Bruce BakerAnalysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb194/0506