II 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2027 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 6, 2007 Mr. Akaka (by request) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, chapter 5, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and promote programs and activities honoring veterans and to authorize the next of kin of a deceased veteran to wear the veteran's awards and decorations under certain circumstances.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans' Pride Initiative Act.

2.

Authority to establish and promote programs and activities honoring veterans; wearing of awards and decorations

(a)Subchapter II of chapter 5, title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

532.

Establishment and promotion of programs honoring veterans; wearing of awards and decorations

(a)The Secretary may establish and promote programs and activities as specified in subsection (b) for the purpose of honoring veterans, increasing public awareness and appreciation of veterans' service, and encouraging veterans and their families to express pride in such service. (b)The programs and activities referenced in subsection (a) are— (1)programs to foster patriotism and pride in veterans' service by encouraging veterans and the next of kin of deceased veterans to wear awards and decorations earned by such veterans for the purpose of patriotic observances on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, and such other patriotic observances as the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, may prescribe; and (2)such other programs and activities as the Secretary may establish by regulation that are consistent with the purposes of paragraph (a) of this section. (c)Notwithstanding sections 771 and 772, title 10, United States Code, the next of kin of a deceased veteran may wear awards or decorations earned by the deceased veteran for purposes of such programs and activities in connection with Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day events, or such other patriotic observances as the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, may prescribe. (1)For the purpose of this subsection the term— (A)awards or decorations means any decoration, medal, badge, or ribbon bestowed on an individual or unit; and (B)next of kin means the surviving spouse or parent of the veteran or any child of the veteran under the age of 18. (2)The wearing of an award or decoration as authorized in this subsection shall not be a violation of section 704(a), title 18, United States Code.

. (b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding after section 531 the following new item: 532. Establishment and promotion of programs honoring veterans; wearing of awards and decorations. .