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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 374 FILED ON: 1/13/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2498
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Bruce E. Tarr
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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 to properly recognize Massachusetts merchant mariners, living and deceased, who served
in an active war zone.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Bruce E. TarrFirst Essex and MiddlesexSteven George Xiarhos5th Barnstable1/27/2025 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 374 FILED ON: 1/13/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2498
By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2498) of Bruce E. Tarr and Steven
George Xiarhos for legislation to properly recognize merchant marine veterans. Veterans and
Federal Affairs.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 2688 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act to properly recognize Massachusetts merchant mariners, living and deceased, who served
in an active war zone.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. (a) Section 9 of Chapter 115 as appearing in the 2022 official edition is
2hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the following: -
3 “In cemeteries containing the remains of veterans which contain a display of flags
4representing branches of United States military services such displays shall include the service
5flags of the following: Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force, Space Force, and
6Merchant Marine.”
7 (b) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary the superintendent of the
8state house shall install the flag of the United States Merchant Marine in memorial hall of the
9state house. 2 of 2
10 SECTION 2. Chapter 33 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition,
11is hereby amended by inserting after section 67B the following section: -
12 Section 67C. There shall be a Massachusetts Merchant Mariner medal to be presented to
13a Merchant Mariner who served in an active war zone. In order to be eligible a Merchant Mariner
14must have been a resident of the commonwealth of Massachusetts during said service and must
15have served after December 6, 1941. The requirements to receive the Massachusetts Merchant
16Mariner medal shall be the same as set forth by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s
17requirements for Merchant Marine Medals and Decorations as prescribed in 46 CFR 350.4.
18 There shall be a commission, henceforth called the Merchant Mariner Medal
19Commission, comprised of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the commandant of the
20Massachusetts Maritime Academy, and a Merchant Mariner, who shall be appointed by the
21Governor from a list of 3 names provided by American Merchant Marine Association; further the
22person appointed by the Governor shall have or have had an unlimited tonnage or any
23horsepower USCG license. The Commission shall design the Merchant Mariner Medal and make
24recommendations to the commander-in-chief for the awarding of the Massachusetts Merchant
25Mariner Medal.