SB 236: "An Act establishing Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Recognition Days and Women Veterans Day; and providing for an effective date."
00SENATE BILL NO. 236 01 "An Act establishing Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Recognition Days 02 and Women Veterans Day; and providing for an effective date." 03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 04 * Section 1. AS 44.12 is amended by adding new sections to read: 05 Sec. 44.12.076. Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Recognition Days. 06 (a) Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day is established on April 9 of each year 07 to recognize and honor all former prisoners of war (POWs) from our nation's wars 08 who have returned home. These POWs repeatedly demonstrated their devotion to 09 duty, honor, and country, despite enduring captivity and sometimes brutal treatment 10 by their captors. The governor shall issue a proclamation to commemorate the day and 11 the POW/MIA flag shall be flown that day at sites identified by the governor. Former 12 POW Recognition Day may be observed by suitable observances and exercises by 13 civic groups and the public. 14 (b) Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Recognition Day is established on
01 the third Friday of September each year to honor all prisoners of war (POWs) and 02 those missing in action (MIAs), unaccounted for from all our nation's wars or who 03 died in captivity. These POWs and MIAs repeatedly demonstrated their devotion to 04 duty, honor, and country, despite enduring captivity and sometimes brutal treatment 05 by their captors. The fate of those unaccounted for and missing in action from our 06 nation's wars causes considerable uncertainty for their families, friends, fellow soldiers, 07 and veterans. This day is also an occasion for Alaskans to remember our country's 08 enormous responsibility to do everything possible to account for those still missing in 09 action. The governor shall issue a proclamation to commemorate the day and the 10 POW/MIA flag shall be flown that day at sites identified by the governor. POW and 11 MIA Recognition Day may be observed by suitable observances and exercises by civic 12 groups and the public. 13 Sec. 44.12.078. Women Veterans Day. Women Veterans Day is established 14 on November 9 of each year to acknowledge and commemorate the sacrifices endured 15 and valor displayed by American women veterans and to recognize their increasing 16 role in the military. The governor shall issue a proclamation to commemorate Women 17 Veterans Day. The day may be observed by suitable observances and exercises by 18 civic groups and the public. 19 * Sec. 2. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).