H. R. 1339 

One Hundred Twelfth Congress 

of the 

United States of America 

AT THE SECOND SESSION 

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, 

the third day of January, two thousand and twelve 

An Act 

To designate 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 DESIGNATION 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) DESIGNATION OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, AS NATIONAL

GUARD BIRTHPLACE.—In light of the findings made in subsection 

(a), the City of Salem, Massachusetts, is hereby designated as 

the Birthplace of the National Guard of the United States. 

(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.— 

(1) MILITARY CEREMONIAL SUPPORT.—The Chief of the 

National Guard Bureau, in conjunction with the Secretary of 
H. R. 1339—2 

the Army, the Secretary of the Air Force, the Council of Governors, and the Adjutant General of the State of Massachusetts, 

shall provide military ceremonial support at the dedication 

of any monument, plaque, or other form of official recognition 

placed in Salem, Massachusetts, celebrating the designation 

of Salem, Massachusetts, as the Birthplace of the National 

Guard of the United States. 

(2) FUNDING SOURCE.—Federal funds may not be used to 

design, procure, prepare, install, or maintain any monument, 

plaque, or other form of official recognition placed in Salem, 

Massachusetts, celebrating the designation of Salem, Massachusetts, as the Birthplace of the National Guard of the United 

States, but the Adjutant General of the State of Massachusetts 

may accept and expend contributions of non-Federal funds for 

this purpose. 

Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

Vice President of the United States and

President of the Senate.