MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Veterans and Military Affairs; Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Furniss, Lee, Farris, Dearing, Smith, Chaney, Gollott, King, Carmichael, Hewes, Thames, Harvey, Hyde-Smith

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI VETERANS MONUMENT COMMISSION TO PLAN THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND DEDICATION OF A MONUMENT RECOGNIZING MISSISSIPPI RECIPIENTS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR; TO AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSION TO SOLICIT PRIVATE MONETARY DONATIONS FOR DEPOSIT INTO A CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MONUMENT TRUST FUND WHICH IS HEREBY CREATED IN THE STATE TREASURY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) In addition to the duties assigned to the Mississippi Veterans Monument Commission in Sections 55-15-55, 55-15-57 and 55-15-59, Mississippi Code of 1972, the commission is hereby authorized, subject to any available funds, to plan and provide for the design, construction and dedication of a monument recognizing Mississippi recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. In planning the design, construction and dedication of the monument, the commission shall consult with and be advised by the State Veterans Affairs Board. The commission may solicit private monetary donations for deposit into a Congressional Medal of Honor Monument Trust Fund which is hereby created in the State Treasury. Private donations to the trust fund may be accepted. The commission is also authorized to accept for deposit into the trust fund grants or donations made to it from any other source. All funds deposited in the trust fund shall be used exclusively for the purpose of designing, constructing and maintaining the monument.

(2) The board of supervisors of any county and the governing authorities of any municipality are hereby authorized and empowered, in their discretion, to make contributions out of any available county or municipal funds, as appropriate, to the Congressional Medal of Honor Monument Trust Fund.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.