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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4986 FILED ON: 3/18/2024
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4862
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Joan Meschino and Patrick M. O'Connor
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act designating Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Joan Meschino3rd Plymouth3/18/2024Patrick M. O'ConnorFirst Plymouth and Norfolk3/18/2024 1 of 1
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4986 FILED ON: 3/18/2024
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4862
By Representative Meschino of Hull and Senator O'Connor, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule
12) of Joan Meschino and Patrick M. O'Connor for the issuance of an annual proclamation by the
Governor to designate September 22 as military service members and veterans suicide awareness
and remembrance day. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act designating Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after
2section 15AAAAAA, the following section:-
3 Section 15AAAAAAA. The governor shall annually issue a proclamation setting apart
4September 22nd as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and
5Remembrance Day, in recognition and in honor of fallen service members and veterans and their
6families, to acknowledge that suicide among service members and veterans is an epidemic, to
7foster awareness of suicide among service members and veterans, and to call for suicide
8prevention measures for service members and veterans, and thereby to support the service
9members and veterans who dedicate their lives to protect and to serve our country, and shall
10recommend that the day be observed in an appropriate manner by the people of the
11Commonwealth of Massachusetts.