I
105TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 1085
To revise, codify, and enact without substantive change certain general and
permanent laws, related to patriotic and national observances, cere-
monies, and organizations, as title 36, United States Code, ‘‘Patriotic
and National Observances, Ceremonies, and Organizations’’.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 17, 1997
Mr. HYDE introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on the Judiciary
A BILL
To revise, codify, and enact without substantive change cer-
tain general and permanent laws, related to patriotic
and national observances, ceremonies, and organizations,
as title 36, United States Code, ‘‘Patriotic and National
Observances, Ceremonies, and Organizations’’.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. TITLE 36, UNITED STATES CODE.
Certain general and permanent laws of the United States, related to pa-
triotic and national observances, ceremonies, and organizations, are revised,
codified, and enacted as title 36, United States Code, ‘‘Patriotic and Na-
tional Observances, Ceremonies, and Organizations’’, as follows:
TITLE 36—PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL
OBSERVANCES, 
CEREMONIES, 
AND
ORGANIZATIONS
SUBTITLE
Sec.
I.
PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES AND CEREMONIES ....
101
II.
PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS .....................................
10101
SUBTITLE I—PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL
OBSERVANCES AND CEREMONIES
PART A—OBSERVANCES AND CEREMONIES
CHAPTER
Sec.
1.
PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES ........................................
101
3.
NATIONAL ANTHEM, MOTTO, FLORAL EMBLEM, AND MARCH .....
301
5.
PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL CEREMONIES .........................................
501
7.
FEDERAL PARTICIPATION IN CARL GARNER FEDERAL LANDS
CLEANUP DAY.
701
9.
MISCELLANEOUS .........................................................................................
901
PART B—UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS
INVOLVED WITH OBSERVANCES AND CEREMONIES
21.
AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION ................................
2101
23.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. FEDERAL HOLIDAY COMMISSION .....
2301
25.
UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL COUNCIL ........................
2501
27.
PRESIDENT’S COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES.
2701
PART A—OBSERVANCES AND CEREMONIES
CHAPTER 1—PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES
Sec.
101.
American Heart Month.
102.
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.
103.
Cancer Control Month.
104.
Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day.
105.
Child Health Day.
106.
Citizenship Day.
107.
Columbus Day.
108.
Constitution Week.
109.
Father’s Day.
110.
Flag Day.
111.
Gold Star Mother’s Day.
112.
Honor America Days.
113.
Law Day, U.S.A.
114.
Leif Erikson Day.
115.
Loyalty Day.
116.
Memorial Day.
117.
Mother’s Day.
118.
National Aviation Day.
119.
National Day of Prayer.
120.
National Defense Transportation Day.
121.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
122.
National Flag Week.
123.
National Forest Products Week.
124.
National Freedom Day.
125.
National Grandparents Day.
126.
National Hispanic Heritage Month.
127.
National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day.
128.
National Maritime Day.
129.
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
130.
National Poison Prevention Week.
131.
National Safe Boating Week.
132.
National School Lunch Week.
133.
National Transportation Week.
134.
Pan American Aviation Day.
135.
Parents’ Day.
136.
Peace Officers Memorial Day.
137.
Police Week.
138.
Save Your Vision Week.
139.
Steelmark Month.
140.
Stephen Foster Memorial Day.
141.
Thomas Jefferson’s birthday.
142.
White Cane Safety Day.
143.
Wright Brothers Day.
§ 101. American Heart Month
The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation—
(1) designating February as American Heart Month;
(2) inviting the chief executive officers of the States, territories, and
possessions of the United States to issue proclamations designating
February as American Heart Month; and
(3) urging the people of the United States to recognize the nation-
wide problem of heart and blood vessel diseases and to support all es-
sential programs required to solve the problem.
§ 102. Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
(a) DESIGNATION.—May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.
(b) PROCLAMATIONS.—The President is requested to issue each year a
proclamation calling on the people of the United States, and the chief execu-
tive officers of each State of the United States, the District of Columbia,
the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern
Mariana Islands, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau are requested
to issue each year proclamations calling on the people of their respective ju-
risdictions, to observe Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month with appro-
priate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
§ 103. Cancer Control Month
(a) GENERAL.—The President is requested—
(1) to issue each year a proclamation designating April as Cancer
Control Month; and
(2) to invite each year the chief executive officers of the States, terri-
tories, and possessions of the United States to issue proclamations des-
ignating April as Cancer Control Month.
(b) CONTENTS OF PROCLAMATIONS.—As part of those proclamations, the
chief executive officers and President are requested to invite the medical
profession, the press, and all agencies and individuals interested in a na-
tional program for the control of cancer by education and other cooperative
means to unite during Cancer Control Month in a public dedication to the
program and in a concerted effort to make the people of the United States
aware of the need for the program.
§ 104. Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day
(a) DESIGNATION.—The first Saturday after Labor Day is Carl Garner
Federal Lands Cleanup Day.
(b) PROCLAMATION.—The President shall issue a proclamation calling on
the people of the United States to observe Carl Garner Federal Lands
Cleanup Day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. How-
ever, activities may be undertaken in individual States on a day other than
the first Saturday after Labor Day if a manager of Federal land decides
that an alternative date is more appropriate because of climatological or
other factors.
§ 105. Child Health Day
The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation—
(1) designating the first Monday in October as Child Health Day;
and
(2) inviting all agencies and organizations interested in child welfare
to unite on Child Health Day in observing exercises that will make the
people of the United States aware of the fundamental necessity of a
year-round program to protect and develop the health of the children
of the United States.
§ 106. Citizenship Day
(a) DESIGNATION.—September 17 is Citizenship Day.
(b) PURPOSE.—Citizenship Day commemorates the formation and signing
on September 17, 1787, of the Constitution and recognizes all who, by com-
ing of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.
(c) PROCLAMATION.—The President may issue each year a proclamation
calling on United States Government officials to display the flag of the
United States on all Government buildings on Citizenship Day and inviting
the people of the United States to observe Citizenship Day, in schools and
churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies.
(d) STATE AND LOCAL OBSERVANCES.—The civil and educational au-
thorities of States, counties, cities, and towns are urged to make plans for
the proper observance of Citizenship Day and for the complete instruction
of citizens in their responsibilities and opportunities as citizens of the Unit-
ed States and of the State and locality in which they reside.
§ 107. Columbus Day
The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation—
(1) designating the 2d Monday in October as Columbus Day;
(2) calling on United States Government officials to display the flag
of the United States on all Government buildings on Columbus Day;
and
(3) inviting the people of the United States to observe Columbus
Day, in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate
ceremonies that express the public sentiment befitting the anniversary
of the discovery of America.
§ 108. Constitution Week
The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation—
(1) designating September 17–September 23 as Constitution Week;
and
(2) inviting the people of the United States to observe Constitution
Week, in schools, churches, and other suitable places, with appropriate
ceremonies and activities.
§ 109. Father’s Day
(a) DESIGNATION.—The 3d Sunday in June is Father’s Day.
(b) PROCLAMATION.—The President is requested to issue a proclama-
tion—
(1) calling on United States Government officials to display the flag
of the United States on all Government buildings on Father’s Day;
(2) inviting State and local governments and the people of the Unit-
ed States to observe Father’s Day with appropriate ceremonies; and
(3) urging the people of the United States to offer public and private
expressions of Father’s Day to the abiding love and gratitude they have
for their fathers.
§ 110. Flag Day
(a) DESIGNATION.—June 14 is Flag Day.
(b) PROCLAMATION.—The President is requested to issue each year a
proclamation—
(1) calling on United States Government officials to display the flag
of the United States on all Government buildings on Flag Day; and
(2) urging the people of the United States to observe Flag Day as
the anniversary of the adoption on June 14, 1777, by the Continental
Congress of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United
States.
§ 111. Gold Star Mother’s Day
(a) DESIGNATION.—The last Sunday in September is Gold Star Mother’s
Day.
(b) PROCLAMATION.—The President is requested to issue a proclamation
calling on United States Government officials to display the flag of the
United States on all Government buildings, and the people of the United
States to display the flag and hold appropriate meetings at homes, churches,
or other suitable places, on Gold Star Mother’s Day as a public expression
of the love, sorrow, and reverence of the people for Gold Star Mothers.
§ 112. Honor America Days
(a) DESIGNATION.—The 21 days from Flag Day through Independence
Day is a period to honor America.
(b) CONGRESSIONAL DECLARATION.—Congress declares that there be
public gatherings and activities during that period at which the people of
the United States can celebrate and honor their country in an appropriate
way.
§ 113. Law Day, U.S.A.
(a) DESIGNATION.—May 1 is Law Day, U.S.A.
(b) PURPOSE.—Law Day, U.S.A., is a special day of celebration by the
people of the United States—
(1) in appreciation of their liberties and the reaffirmation of their
loyalty to the United States and of their rededication to the ideals of
equality and justice under law in their relations with each other and
with other countries; and
(2) for the cultivation of the respect for law that is so vital to the
democratic way of life.
(c) PROCLAMATION.—The President is requested to issue a proclama-
tion—
(1) calling on all public officials to display the flag of the United
States on all government buildings on Law Day, U.S.A.; and
(2) inviting the people of the United States to observe Law Day,
U.S.A., with appropriate ceremonies and in other appropriate ways,
through public entities and private organizations and in schools and
other suitable places.
§ 114. Leif Erikson Day
The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation designating
October 9 as Leif Erikson Day.
§ 115. Loyalty Day
(a) DESIGNATION.—May 1 is Loyalty Day.
(b) PURPOSE.—Loyalty Day is a special day for the reaffirmation of loy-
alty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of Amer-
ican freedom.
(c) PROCLAMATION.—The President is requested to issue a proclama-
tion—
(1) calling on United States Government officials to display the flag
of the United States on all Government buildings on Loyalty Day; and
(2) inviting the people of the United States to observe Loyalty Day
with appropriate ceremonies in schools and other suitable places.
§ 116. Memorial Day
The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation—
(1) designating May 30 as Memorial Day;
(2) calling on the people of the United States to observe Memorial
Day by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for perma-
nent peace;
(3) designating a period of time on Memorial Day during which the
people may unite in prayer for a permanent peace;
(4) calling on the people of the United States to unite in prayer at
that time; and
(5) calling on the media to join in observing Memorial Day and the
period of prayer.
§ 117. Mother’s Day
(a) DESIGNATION.—The 2d Sunday in May is Mother’s Day.
(b) PROCLAMATION.—The President is requested to issue a proclamation
calling on United States Government officials to display the flag of the
United States on all Government buildings, and on the people of the United
States to display the flag at their homes or other suitable places, on Moth-
er’s Day as a public expression of love and reverence for the mothers of
the United States.
§ 118. National Aviation Day
The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation—
(1) designating August 19 as National Aviation Day;
(2) calling on United States Government officials to display the flag
of the United States on all Government buildings on National Aviation
Day; and
(3) inviting the people of the United States to observe National Avia-
tion Day with appropriate exercises to further stimulate interest in
aviation in the United States.
§ 119. National Day of Prayer
The President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first
Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the
United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in
groups, and as individuals.
§ 120. National Defense Transportation Day
The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation—
(1) designating the 3d Friday in May as National Defense Transpor-
tation Day; and
(2) urging the people of the United States, including labor, manage-
ment, users, and investors, in all communities served by the various
forms of transportation to observe National Defense Transportation
Day by appropriate ceremonies that will give complete recognition to
the importance to each community and its people of the transportation