Joint resolution providing for the observance of April 9, the twelfth anniversary of the fall of Bataan, as Bataan Day
PL 83-328 (S.J.Res.143), enacted 04/08/1954

68 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 328-APR. 8, 1954 
i l 
SEC. 2. The conveyance of the property identified in section 1 of this 
Act to the State of North Carolina shall be made without consideration 
therefor and upon condition that it shall be used for military purposes 
only, and in the event it shall not be used for such purposes title thereto 
shall immediately revert to the United States, and, in addition, title to 
all improvements made by the State of North Carolina during its 
occupancy shall vest in the United States without payment of com-
pensation therefor. 
The deed of conveyance shall contain the further 
provision that whenever the Congress of the United States shall de-
clare a state of war or other national emergency, or the President 
declares a state of emergency to exist, and upon the determination by 
the Secretary of Defense that the property so conveyed is useful or 
necessary for military, air, or naval purposes, or in the interest of 
national defense, the United States shall have the right, without 
charge, except as indicated below, to reenter upon the property and 
use the same or any part thereof, including any and all improvements 
made by the State of North Carolina, for a period not to exceed the 
duration of such state of war or national emergency plus six months, 
and upon cessation of such use, such property shall revert to the State 
of North Carolina, together with any or all improvements thereon and 
appurtenances appertaining thereto: Provided^ however^ That the 
United States shall be responsible during the period of such use for 
the entire cost of maintaining all of the property so used, and shall 
pay a fair rental for the use of any structures or other improvements 
which have been added thereto without Federal aid. 
SEC. 3. The cost of any surveys necessary as an incident of the con-
veyance authorized herein shall be borne by the grantee. 
Approved April 2, 1954. 
Conditions. 
Survey cost. 
Public Law 328 
CHAPTER 134 
JOINT RESOLUTION 
AprU 8, 1954 
Providing for the observance of April 9, the twelfth anniversary of the fall of 
[S. J. Res. i43] 
Bataan, as Bataan Day. 
Whereas April 9 of this year marks the twelfth anniversary of the end 
of the epic struggle of American and Filipino forces on Bataan; and 
Whereas Bataan symbolizes the spirit which moves men of different 
races and different creeds to fight shoulder to shoulder for their 
freedom; and 
Whereas the rallying of the people of the Philippines to the side of the 
United States and the other United Nations in the recent struggle in 
Korea was a further expression of American-Filipino unity; and 
Whereas the people of the JPhilippines have demonstrated to all other 
nations in the Asian sphere the fact that mutual friendship and 
mutual security are common goals, and the role of the United States 
in Asia is that of a friend of peoples, regardless of race; and 
Whereas President Ramon Magsaysay has designated April 9 as 
Bataan Day in the Philippines: Therefore be it 
Resolved hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled^ That April 9, the twelfth 
anniversary of the fall of Bataan, should be observed as Bataan Day 
and that the Congress recommends that on that day the flags of the 
United States and the Republic of the Philippines be flown, and that 
encouragement be given to the holding of appropriate services in 
schools and churches, and in other gatherings. 
Approved April 8, 1954. 
Bataan Day.