IIB 
112TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 1339 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
MARCH 29, 2012 
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services 
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 Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. OFFICIAL DESIGNATION OF SALEM, MASSA-
CHUSETTS, AS THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE NA-
TIONAL GUARD OF THE UNITED STATES. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following find-
ings: 
(1) In 1629, Captain John Endicott organized 
the first militia in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 
Salem. 
(2) The colonists had adopted the English mili-
tia 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 Na-
tional Guard and the National Guard of the United 
States. 
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(6) Since 1785, Salem’s own Second Corps of 
Cadets (101st and 102nd Field Artillery) has cele-
brated 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 pro-
viding units for the first line defense of the United 
States and current missions throughout the world. 
(8) The designation of the City of Salem, Mas-
sachusetts, 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 the Army, the Secretary of the 
Air Force, the Council of Governors, and the Adju-
tant General of the State of Massachusetts, shall 
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provide military ceremonial support at the dedication 
of any monument, plaque, or other form of official 
recognition placed in Salem, Massachusetts, cele-
brating 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 main-
tain any monument, plaque, or other form of official 
recognition placed in Salem, Massachusetts, cele-
brating 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. 
Passed the House of Representatives March 28, 
2012. 
Attest: 
KAREN L. HAAS, 
Clerk. 
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