II 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2690 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 4, 2008 Mr. Brownback introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To authorize the placement in Arlington National Cemetery of an American Braille tactile flag in Arlington National Cemetery honoring blind members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and other Americans.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the American Braille Flag Memorial Act.

2.

Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)There are more than 175,000 blind veterans. (2)The Department of Defense estimates that 16 percent of the members of the Armed Forces who have been injured in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom have severe vision loss as a result of their injuries. (3)The American Braille tactile flag was created by the Kansas Braille Transcription Institute in Wichita, Kansas, to allow blind Americans and blind veterans to experience the American flag. (4)Arlington National Cemetery, visited by approximately 4,000,0000 people annually, is a national place of remembrance and honor for the Nation’s veterans.

3.

Authorization of placement of an American Braille tactile flag in Arlington National Cemetery honoring blind members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and other Americans

(a)

In general

The Secretary of the Army is authorized to place in Arlington National Cemetery an American Braille tactile flag in Arlington National Cemetery honoring blind members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and other Americans. (b)

Approval of design and site

The Secretary of the Army shall have exclusive authority to approve an appropriate design and site within Arlington National Cemetery for the memorial authorized under subsection (a).