BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SCR 159|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | |
|327-4478 | |
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SCR 159
Author: Morrell (R), et al.
Introduced:8/1/16
Vote: 21
SUBJECT: Purple Heart Day
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST: This resolution declares August 7, 2016, as Purple
Heart Day in California.
ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative
findings:
1)The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who
are killed or wounded in action.
2)Created in 1932, the Purple Heart has a long storied past that
dates back to the founding fathers of the United States. The
award takes its design from the Badge of Military Merit, which
was commissioned by General George Washington on August 7,
1782. This award consisted of a purple, heart-shaped piece of
silk having a narrow edge of silver stitched with the word
Merit across the face and is considered to be the first
official military combat badge of the Armed Forces. The
official successor decoration of the Badge of Military Merit
is the Purple Heart.
3)To date, approximately two million Purple Heart Medals have
been awarded. The award can be awarded retroactively to a
SCR 159
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soldier as far back as 1917, allowing veterans from World War
I to be eligible.
4)Originally, the Purple Heart was awarded for meritorious
service, and injury was a consideration for merit. In 1942,
the creation of the Legion of Merit award duplicated the merit
requirement, which became unnecessary for the Purple Heart.
5)From 1942 to 1997, civilians serving in, or affiliated with,
the Armed Forces were eligible to receive the Purple Heart.
Some of the earliest civilians to receive this honor were
firefighters wounded or killed while fighting fires caused by
the attack on Pearl Harbor.
This resolution declares August 7, 2016, as Purple Heart Day in
California, and encourages all Californians to honor those who
have served in the Armed Forces, especially those who have been
wounded and received the Purple Heart.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal
Com.:NoLocal: No
SUPPORT: (Verified8/3/16)
American G.I. Forum of California
American Legion, Department of California
AMVETS, Department of California
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
California State Commanders Veterans Council
Military Officers Association of America, California Council of
Chapters
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California
Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council
OPPOSITION: (Verified8/3/16)
SCR 159
Page 3
None received
Prepared by: Melissa Ward / SFA / (916) 651-1520
8/3/16 19:14:37
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