HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5718

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                      State Government

Title:  An act relating to purple heart recipient recognition day.

Brief Description:  Establishing purple heart recipient recognition day.

Sponsor(s):  Senators Owen, Oke, Rasmussen, Conner, Nelson, Thorsness, Bauer and von Reichbauer.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

State Government, April 2, 1991, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Anderson, Chair; Pruitt, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Minority Member; Bowman, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler; R. Fisher; Grant; Moyer; O'Brien; and Sheldon.

Staff:  Linda May (786-7135).

Background:  The Purple Heart is a national decoration awarded to members of the armed services who are wounded in combat.

Summary of Bill:  The seventh day of August is recognized as "Purple Heart Recipient Recognition Day."  The day is not to be considered a legal holiday for any purposes.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This is a simple but important bill to recognize those who served when called.  It is inappropriate to recognize them once and then have them forgotten.  This day would remind us every year.  Washington would be the eighth state to have this recognition day.  The date of August 7 was chosen because George Washington established the Purple Heart on August 7, 1782.  Some 15,000 veterans in Washington hold the Purple Heart.  This measure gives credence to those who got in harm's way in honor of their country.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Senator Owen; and Bob Chandler and Keith Sherman, Veterans Legislative Coalition (all in favor).