SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2803        FILED ON: 10/16/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2688

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Bruce E. Tarr

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to properly recognize merchant marine veterans.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2803        FILED ON: 10/16/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2688

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act to properly recognize merchant marine veterans.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 6 of the general laws as appearing in the 2022 official edition is hereby amended by inserting after section 15ZZZZZZ the following new section:-

15AAAAAAA. The governor shall set apart June 12th as United States Merchant Marine Day in recognition of the birthday of the Merchant Marine on June 12, 1775, and in recognition of its distinguished history shall issue a proclamation recommending that the day be observed by the people in the display of the flag and in appropriate public exercises, commemorative of the services and sacrifices of the citizens of the commonwealth who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. merchant marine in defense of the United States

SECTION 2. (a) Section 9 of Chapter 115 as appearing in the 2022 official edition is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the following: -                                                                                

“In cemeteries containing the remains of veterans which contain a display of flags representing branches of United States military services such displays shall include the service flags of the following: Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force, Space Force, and Merchant Marine.”

(b) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary the superintendent of the state house shall install the flag of the United States Merchant Marine in memorial hall of the state house.

SECTION 3. Chapter 33 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 67B the following section: -                       

Section 67C. There shall be a Massachusetts Merchant Mariner medal to be presented to a Merchant Mainer who served in an active war zone. In order to be eligible a Merchant Mariner must have been a resident of the commonwealth of Massachusetts during said service and must have served after December 6, 1941.  The requirements to receive the Massachusetts Merchant Mariner medal shall be the same as set forth by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s requirements for Merchant Marine Medals and Decorations as prescribed in 46 CFR 350.4.

There shall be a commission, henceforth called the Merchant Mariner Medal Commission, comprised of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the commandant of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, and a Merchant Mariner, who shall be appointed by the Governor from a list of 3 names provided by American Merchant Marine Association; further the person appointed by the Governor shall have or have had an unlimited tonnage or any horsepower USCG license. The Commission shall design the Merchant Mariner Medal and make recommendations to the commander-in-chief for the awarding of the Massachusetts Merchant Mariner Medal.