SENATE, No. 3304

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

216th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED DECEMBER 14, 2015

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  ANTHONY R. BUCCO

District 25 (Morris and Somerset)

Senator  JAMES BEACH

District 6 (Burlington and Camden)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Designates Killed in Action flag as an official State flag; mandates it be displayed at certain public buildings.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  

An Act designating the Killed in Action flag as an official State flag and supplementing chapter 3 of Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.

 

Whereas, Since our nation's founding, brave men and women have given their lives for this country through their service in the Armed Forces of the United States; and

Whereas, This State supports its many resident servicemembers and veterans and is grateful for their sacrifices, especially for the sacrifice of those who paid the ultimate price with their lives; and

Whereas, The Killed in Action (K.I.A.) flag seeks to honor those who have fallen in action and ensure that their service is never forgotten; and

Whereas, It is believed that, in 1993, a Vietnam veteran, who wished to remain anonymous, visited the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C., and realized there was no flag in existence at that time that he could leave to honor this nation's fallen heroes; and

Whereas, The veteran decided to create a flag and assure the loved ones of fallen heroes that they would always be remembered; and

Whereas, The Killed in Action Honor Flag Program began in 2003 in recognition of those who were killed in combat while serving in the United States military and their families; and

Whereas, The K.I.A. flag is a red flag which depicts the silhouette of a helmet on top of a firearm next to a servicemember, where the color red represents the blood shed by members of the United States Armed Forces and Special Services who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country both at home and abroad; and

Whereas, It is, therefore, altogether fitting and proper that this State adopt this flag as an official State flag to honor and memorialize all members of the Armed Forces of the United States who were killed in action or died of wounds resulting from injuries received in action; now, therefore,

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    a.  The Killed in Action (K.I.A.) flag is designated an official State flag for recognizing members of the Armed Forces of the United States who were killed in action, or died of wounds resulting from injuries received in action, in any war or conflict in which the United States has been involved. The K.I.A. flag is a red flag which depicts the silhouette of a helmet on top of a firearm next to a servicemember.

     b.    The flag shall be displayed during normal business hours at the State House in Trenton, the principal municipal building in each municipality, and the principal county building in each county seat.
     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill designates the Killed in Action (K.I.A.) flag as an official State flag for recognizing all members of the Armed Forces of the United States who were killed in action, or died of wounds resulting from injuries received in action, in any war or conflict in which the United States has been involved.  The bill mandates that the flag be displayed during normal business hours at the State House in Trenton, the principal municipal building in each municipality, and the principal county building in each county seat.