MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Military Affairs

By: Representative Reeves

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 55-15-53, 55-15-55 AND 55-15-57, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THAT THE NEW VETERANS MONUMENT WILL BE LOCATED AT THE CAMP SHELBY TRAINING SITE, CAMP SHELBY, MISSISSIPPI, AT A SITE DESIGNATED BY THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF CAMP SHELBY, AND THAT THE MONUMENT SHALL BE UNDER THE DIRECTION, SUPERVISION AND CONTROL OF THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF CAMP SHELBY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 55-15-53, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

55-15-53. (1) There is hereby created a Mississippi Veterans Monument Commission consisting of the following * * * members:

(a) Four (4) members appointed by the Governor as follows:

(i) Two (2) veterans of World War II;

(ii) One (1) veteran of the Korean Conflict; and

(iii) One (1) veteran of the Vietnam Conflict;

(b) One (1) veteran appointed by the Lieutenant Governor.

(2) The initial meeting of the commission shall be called and chaired by the older of the two (2) veterans of World War II, until the Monument Commission shall choose a permanent chairman and secretary from among its members. Thereafter, the commission shall meet at the call of the permanent chairman. Minutes of the meetings of the commission shall be kept in a well-bound book and, along with all other records and papers, shall remain in the custody of the secretary of the commission. A majority of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. All actions taken or rules and regulations adopted by the commission shall be by resolution duly spread upon its minutes, showing yea and nay votes of each member present. The chairman of the commission shall vote only in the case of a tie between the other members of the commission. The signature of the chairman and secretary, pursuant to a duly adopted resolution, shall be binding upon the commission.

(3) The appointed members of the Mississippi Veterans Monument Commission shall receive per diem compensation in the amount authorized under Section 25-3-69 for each day or portion thereof spent in the performance of the duties of the commission and shall be entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses while on commission business as authorized under Section 25-3-41. Other members of the commission shall not be entitled to compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses as authorized under Section 25-3-41 while on commission business. Commission members shall be limited to reimbursement of travel expenses and per diem compensation authorized herein for no more than twelve (12) meetings per year.

SECTION 2. Section 55-15-55, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

55-15-55. The Mississippi Veterans Monument Commission is hereby authorized and directed to cause to be constructed and maintained an appropriate monument to honor Mississippi veterans when adequate funds for the construction thereof are deposited in the Veterans Monument Trust Fund herein created. The monument provided in this section shall be constructed at the Camp Shelby Training Site, Camp Shelby, Mississippi, at a site designated by the Commanding Officer of Camp Shelby. After its construction the monument shall be under the control and supervision of the Commanding Officer of Camp Shelby.

SECTION 3. Section 55-15-57, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

55-15-57. The Mississippi Veterans Monument Commission shall:

(a) Plan and provide for the design, construction and dedication of the Mississippi veterans monument. The actual design and site of the monument shall be at the Camp Shelby Training Site, Camp Shelby, Mississippi, and shall be selected by the commanding officer of Camp Shelby.

(b) Solicit private monetary donations for deposit into the Veterans Monument Trust Fund.

(c) Report to the Legislature by November 15 of each year on the progress of such monument.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.