I 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1339 
To amend title 32, United States Code, the body of laws of the United 
States dealing with the National Guard, to recognize the City of Salem, 
Massachusetts, as the Birthplace of the National Guard of the United 
States. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 1, 2011 
Mr. TIERNEY (for himself, Mr. MARKEY, Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, Mr. 
NEAL, Mr. OLVER, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. CAPUANO, Mr. LYNCH, Ms. 
TSONGAS, and Mr. KEATING) introduced the following bill; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Armed Services 
A BILL 
To amend title 32, United States Code, the body of laws 
of the United States dealing with the National Guard, 
to recognize 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, 
SECTION 1. OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF SALEM, MASSA-
CHUSETTS, AS THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE NA-
TIONAL GUARD OF THE UNITED STATES. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following find-
ings: 
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(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. 
(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-
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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) RECOGNITION.—Section 102 of title 32, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘In accordance’’ and inserting 
‘‘(a) STATEMENT OF POLICY.—In accordance’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(b) RECOGNITION OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, AS 
NATIONAL GUARD BIRTHPLACE.—The City of Salem, 
Massachusetts, the site of the first muster of a militia 
regiment in 1637 in what became the United States, is 
hereby recognized as the Birthplace of the National Guard 
of the United States.’’. 
Æ 
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