36 U.S.C. § 116 Memorial Day

• Library: United States Statutes
• Edition: prefLabel,label,title,shortLabel
• Currency: Current through P.L. 118-19 (published on www.congress.gov on 10/06/2023)
• Citation: 36 U.S.C. § 116

(a) DESIGNATION.-The last Monday in May is Memorial Day.

(b) PROCLAMATION.-The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation-

(1) calling on the people of the United States to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace;

(2) designating a period of time on Memorial Day during which the people may unite in prayer for a permanent peace;

(3) calling on the people of the United States to unite in prayer at that time; and

(4) calling on the media to join in observing Memorial Day and the period of prayer.

Cite as 36 U.S.C. § 116

Source: Pub. L. 105-225, 112 Stat. 1257.

Notes from the Office of Law Revision Counsel

current through 5/22/2023

<TABLE> <TR><TD colspan="3">HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>Revised <para>Section</para> </TD> <TD>Source (U.S. Code)</TD> <TD>Source (Statutes at Large)</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>116</TD> <TD>36:169g.</TD> <TD>May 11, 1950, ch. 182, 64 Stat. 158.</TD> </TR> </TABLE>

In subsection (a), the designation is added, and the words "last Monday in May" are substituted for "May 30" in the Act of May 11, 1950 (ch. 182, 64 Stat. 158), because of section 1(b) of the Act of June 28, 1968 ( Public Law 90-363 82 Stat. 250).

In subsection (b)(4), the word "media" is substituted for "newspapers, radio stations, and all other mediums of information" to eliminate unnecessary words.

STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES

NATIONAL MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE

Pub. L. 106-579, 114 Stat. 3078, as amended by Pub. L. 110-161, div. H, title I, §1502(e), Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2250, provided that:

"SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

"This Act may be cited as the 'National Moment of Remembrance Act'.

"SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

"Congress finds that-

"(1) it is essential to remember and renew the legacy of Memorial Day, which was established in 1868 to pay tribute to individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States and their families;

"(2) greater strides must be made to demonstrate appreciation for those loyal people of the United States whose values, represented by their sacrifices, are critical to the future of the United States;

"(3) the Federal Government has a responsibility to raise awareness of and respect for the national heritage, and to encourage citizens to dedicate themselves to the values and principles for which those heroes of the United States died;

"(4) the relevance of Memorial Day must be made more apparent to present and future generations of people of the United States through local and national observances and ongoing activities;

"(5) in House Concurrent Resolution 302, agreed to May 25, 2000, Congress called on the people of the United States, in a symbolic act of unity, to observe a National Moment of Remembrance to honor the men and women of the United States who died in the pursuit of freedom and peace;

"(6) in Presidential Proclamation No. 7315 of May 26, 2000 (65 Fed. Reg. 34907), the President proclaimed Memorial Day, May 29, 2000, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and designated 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as the time to join in prayer and to observe the National Moment of Remembrance; and

"(7) a National Moment of Remembrance and other commemorative events are needed to reclaim Memorial Day as the sacred and noble event that that day is intended to be.

"SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

"In this Act:

"(1) ALLIANCE.-The term 'Alliance' means the Remembrance Alliance established by section 9(a).

"(2) COMMISSION.-The term 'Commission' means the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance established by section 5(a).

"(3) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND WHITE HOUSE LIAISON.-The term 'Executive Director and White House Liaison' means the Executive Director and White House Liaison appointed under section 10(a)(1).

"(4) MEMORIAL DAY.-The term 'Memorial Day' means the legal public holiday designated as Memorial Day by section 6103(a) of title 5, United States Code.

"(5) TRIBAL GOVERNMENT.-The term 'tribal government' means the governing body of an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 450b ) [now 25 U.S.C. 5304 ][)].

"SEC. 4. NATIONAL MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE.

"The minute beginning at 3:00 p.m. (local time) on Memorial Day each year is designated as the 'National Moment of Remembrance'.

"SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF WHITE HOUSE COMMISSION ON THE NATIONAL MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE.

"(a) ESTABLISHMENT.-There is established a commission to be known as the 'White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance'.

"(b) MEMBERSHIP.-

"(1) COMPOSITION.-The Commission shall be composed of the following: