[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 126, 112th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


Public Law 112-241
112th Congress

An Act


 
To designate the City of Salem, Massachusetts, as the Birthplace of the
National Guard of the United States. <>

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. <> OFFICIAL DESIGNATION OF
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, AS THE
BIRTHPLACE OF THE NATIONAL GUARD OF
THE UNITED STATES.

(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) In 1629, Captain John Endicott organized the first
militia in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in Salem.
(2) The colonists had adopted the English militia system,
which required all males between the ages of 16 and 60 to
possess arms and participate in the defense of the community.
(3) In 1636, the Massachusetts General Court ordered the
organization of three militia regiments, designated as the
North, South, and East regiments.
(4) These regiments drilled once a week and provided guard
details each evening to sound the alarm in case of attack.
(5) The East Regiment, the predecessor of the 101st Engineer
Battalion, assembled as a regiment for the first time in 1637 on
the Salem Common, marking the beginning of the Massachusetts
National Guard and the National Guard of the United States.
(6) Since 1785, Salem's own Second Corps of Cadets (101st
and 102nd Field Artillery) has celebrated the anniversary of
that first muster.
(7) As the policy contained in section 102 of title 32,
United States Code, clearly expresses, the National Guard
continues its historic mission of providing units for the first
line defense of the United States and current missions
throughout the world.
(8) The designation of the City of Salem, Massachusetts, as
the Birthplace of the National Guard of the United States will
contribute positively to tourism and economic development in the
city, create jobs, and instill pride in both the local and State
communities.

(b) Designation of Salem, Massachusetts, as National Guard
Birthplace.--In light of the findings made in subsection (a), the City
of Salem, Massachusetts, is hereby designated as the Birthplace of the
National Guard of the United States.
(c) Responsibilities.--
(1) Military ceremonial support.--The Chief of the National
Guard Bureau, in conjunction with the Secretary of

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the Army, the Secretary of the Air Force, the Council of
Governors, and the Adjutant General of the State of
Massachusetts, shall provide military ceremonial support at the
dedication of any monument, plaque, or other form of official
recognition placed in Salem, Massachusetts, celebrating the
designation of Salem, Massachusetts, as the Birthplace of the
National Guard of the United States.
(2) Funding source.--Federal funds may not be used to
design, procure, prepare, install, or maintain any monument,
plaque, or other form of official recognition placed in Salem,
Massachusetts, celebrating the designation of Salem,
Massachusetts, as the Birthplace of the National Guard of the
United States, but the Adjutant General of the State of
Massachusetts may accept and expend contributions of non-Federal
funds for this purpose.

Approved January 10, 2013.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 1339:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 158 (2012):
Mar. 28, considered and passed House.
Dec. 21, considered and passed Senate.