[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 6, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S71-S72]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. INOUYE:
  S. 70. A bill to restore the traditional day of observance of 
Memorial Day, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the 
Judiciary.
  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, in our effort to accommodate many 
Americans by making Memorial Day the last Monday in May, we have lost 
sight of the significance of this day to our Nation. My bill would 
restore Memorial Day to May 30 and authorize our flag to fly at half 
mast on that day. In addition, this legislation would authorize the 
President to issue a proclamation

[[Page S72]]

designating Memorial Day and Veterans Day as days for prayer and 
ceremonies. This legislation would help restore the recognition our 
veterans deserve for the sacrifices they have made on behalf of our 
Nation.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 70

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. RESTORATION OF TRADITIONAL DAY OF OBSERVANCE OF 
                   MEMORIAL DAY.

       (a) Designation of Legal Public Holiday.--Section 6103(a) 
     of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking 
     ``Memorial Day, the last Monday in May.'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``Memorial Day, May 30.''.
       (b) Observances and Ceremonies.--Section 116 of title 36, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``The last Monday in 
     May'' and inserting ``May 30''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (3);
       (B) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
       ``(4) calling on the people of the United States to observe 
     Memorial Day as a day of ceremonies to show respect for 
     United States veterans of wars and other military conflicts; 
     and''.
       (c) Display of Flag.--Section 6(d) of title 4, United 
     States Code, is amended by striking ``the last Monday in 
     May;'' and inserting ``May 30;''.
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