I 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 595 
To amend title 36, United States Code, to designate the musical piece com-
monly known as ‘‘Taps’’ as the National Song of Remembrance, and 
for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 9, 2011 
Mr. REED (for himself, Ms. HAYWORTH, Mr. OWENS, and Ms. RICHARDSON) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, for a 
period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com-
mittee concerned 
A BILL 
To amend title 36, United States Code, to designate the 
musical piece commonly known as ‘‘Taps’’ as the Na-
tional Song of Remembrance, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) The bugle call commonly known as ‘‘Taps’’ 
is known throughout the United States as part of 
the military honors accorded at funerals, memorial 
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services, and wreath ceremonies held for members of 
the uniformed services and veterans. 
(2) In July 1862, following the Seven Days 
Battles, Union General Daniel Butterfield and bu-
gler Oliver Willcox Norton created ‘‘Taps’’ at Berk-
ley Plantation, Virginia, as a way to signal the end 
of daily military activities. 
(3) ‘‘Taps’’ is now codified by the uniformed 
services as the last call of the day and is sounded 
at the completion of a military funeral. 
(4) ‘‘Taps’’ has become the signature, solemn 
musical farewell for members of the uniformed serv-
ices and veterans who have faithfully served the 
United States during times of war and peace. 
(5) Over its almost 150 years of use, ‘‘Taps’’ 
has been woven into the historical fabric of the 
United States. 
(6) When sounded, ‘‘Taps’’ summons emotions 
of loss, pride, honor, and respect and encourages 
Americans to remember patriots who served the 
United States with honor and valor. 
(7) The 150th anniversary of the writing of 
‘‘Taps’’ will be observed with events culminating in 
June 2012 with a rededication of the Taps Monu-
ment at Berkley Plantation, Virginia. 
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SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of Congress that at a military funeral, 
memorial service, or wreath laying, ‘‘Taps’’ should be 
sounded by a live solo bugler or trumpeter when such ar-
rangements are possible. 
SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF ‘‘TAPS’’ AS NATIONAL SONG OF 
REMEMBRANCE. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—Chapter 3 of title 36, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘§ 306. National Song of Remembrance 
‘‘(a) DESIGNATION.—The bugle call commonly 
known as ‘Taps’, consisting of 24 notes sounded on a 
bugle or trumpet performed by a solo bugler or trumpeter 
without accompaniment or embellishment, is the National 
Song of Remembrance. 
‘‘(b) CONDUCT DURING SOUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—During a performance of 
‘Taps’ at a military funeral, memorial service, or 
wreath laying— 
‘‘(A) all present, except persons in uni-
form, should stand at attention with the right 
hand over the heart; 
‘‘(B) men not in uniform should remove 
their headdress with their right hand and hold 
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the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand 
being over the heart; and 
‘‘(C) persons in uniform should stand at 
attention and give the military salute at the 
first note of ‘Taps’ and maintain that position 
until the last note. 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—Paragraph (1) shall not 
apply when ‘Taps’ is sounded as the final bugle call 
of the day at a military base. 
‘‘(c) DEFINITION OF MILITARY BASE.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘military base’ means a base, camp, post, 
station, yard, center, homeport facility for any ship, or 
other activity under the jurisdiction of the Department of 
Defense, including any leased facility, which is located 
within any of the several States, the District of Columbia, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the 
Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mar-
iana Islands, or Guam.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) CHAPTER HEADING.—The heading of chap-
ter 3 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to 
read as follows: 
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‘‘CHAPTER 3—NATIONAL ANTHEM, MOTTO, 
AND OTHER NATIONAL DESIGNATIONS’’. 
(2) TABLE OF CHAPTERS.—The item relating 
to chapter 3 in the table of chapters for such title 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘3. National Anthem, Motto, and Other National Designations .............
301’’. 
(3) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by add-
ing at the end the following new item: 
‘‘306. National Song of Remembrance.’’. 
Æ 
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