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2009 SESSION


CHAPTER 66
An Act to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-3309.1, 2.2-3310, and 22.1-17.4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to certain honorary diplomas.
[H 1767]
Approved February 25, 2009

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 2.2-3309.1, 2.2-3310, and 22.1-17.4 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 2.2-3309.1. Virginia World War II Veterans Appreciation Week; Virginia Korean War Veterans Appreciation Week; honorary diplomas to be awarded under certain circumstances during such weeks.

A. In recognition of the sacrifice of the members of the United States Armed Forces who served in World War II, the first full week in September, i.e., the week that was the first full official week of peace in 1945, shall hereby be designated the Virginia World War II Veterans Appreciation Week, beginning in September 2001.

In accordance with the Board of Education's guidelines as authorized by § 22.1-17.4, any veteran of World War II may apply for a Commonwealth of Virginia World War II Veteran Honorary High School Diploma by filing with the Virginia Board of Education a statement declaring that:

1. During the years between 1939 and 1945, he served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces and was subsequently honorably discharged;

2. He was drafted or did enlist in the United States Armed Forces while still enrolled as a secondary school student in any school in any state or territory of the United States or any school located on or associated with a United States military base or embassy; and

3. He was unable to resume his secondary education upon returning to civilian life.

B. In recognition of the sacrifice of the members of the United States Armed Forces who served during the Korean War, the first full week in November shall hereby be designated the Virginia Korean War Veterans Appreciation Week, beginning in November 2002.

In accordance with the Board of Education's guidelines as authorized by § 22.1-17.4, any veteran of the Korean War may apply for a Commonwealth of Virginia Korean War Veteran Honorary High School Diploma by filing with the Virginia Board of Education a statement declaring that:

1. During the years between 1950 and 1953, he served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces and was subsequently honorably discharged;

2. He enlisted in or was drafted into the United States Armed Forces while still enrolled as a secondary school student in any school in any state or territory of the United States or any school located on or associated with a United States military base or embassy; and

3. He was unable to resume his secondary education upon returning to civilian life.

C. Upon receiving a statement in compliance with this section and § 22.1-17.4 that has been filed in accordance with its guidelines, the Board of Education shall award the veteran described in subsections A or B, a Commonwealth of Virginia World War II Veteran Honorary High School Diploma or a Commonwealth of Virginia Korean War Veteran Honorary High School Diploma, as appropriate. Such diploma shall also be delivered during Virginia World War II Veterans Appreciation Week or Virginia Korean War Veterans Appreciation Week, as appropriate.

§ 2.2-3310. Vietnam War Memorial Dedication and Veterans' Recognition Week.

A. The first full week of November of each year shall be designated as Vietnam War Memorial Dedication Week and Veterans' Recognition Week in the Commonwealth, to honor in perpetuity the men and women who have served their country as members of the armed forces during the Vietnam Conflict War.

B. In accordance with the Board of Education's guidelines as authorized by § 22.1-17.4, any veteran of the Vietnam War may apply for a Commonwealth of Virginia Vietnam War Veteran Honorary High School Diploma by filing with the Virginia Board of Education a statement declaring that:

1. During the years between 1959 and 1975, he served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces and was subsequently honorably discharged;

2. He enlisted in or was drafted into the United States Armed Forces while still enrolled as a secondary school student in any school in any state or territory of the United States or any school located on or associated with a United States military base or embassy; and

3. He was unable to resume his secondary education upon returning to civilian life.

C. Upon receiving a statement in compliance with this section and § 22.1-17.4 that has been filed in accordance with its guidelines, the Board of Education shall award the veteran described in subsection B a Commonwealth of Virginia Vietnam War Veteran Honorary High School Diploma. Such diploma shall also be delivered during Virginia Vietnam War Memorial Dedication and Veterans' Recognition Week in the Commonwealth.

§ 22.1-17.4. Certain honorary diplomas to be issued under specific circumstances.

A. Any veteran of World War II may apply to the Board of Education for a Commonwealth of Virginia World War II Veteran Honorary High School Diploma by filing, in compliance with Board guidelines, a statement declaring that:

1. During the years between 1939 and 1945, he served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces and was subsequently honorably discharged;

2. He was drafted or did enlist in the United States Armed Forces while still enrolled as a secondary school student in any school in any state or territory of the United States or any school located on or associated with a United States military base or embassy; and

3. He was unable to resume his secondary education upon returning to civilian life.

B. Any veteran of the Korean War may apply to the Board of Education for a Commonwealth of Virginia Korean War Veteran Honorary High School Diploma by filing, in compliance with Board guidelines, a statement declaring that:

1. During the years between 1950 and 1953, he served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces and was subsequently honorably discharged;

2. He enlisted in or was drafted into the United States Armed Forces while still enrolled as a secondary school student in any school in any state or territory of the United States or any school located on or associated with a United States military base or embassy; and

3. He was unable to resume his secondary education upon returning to civilian life.

C. Any veteran of the Vietnam War may apply to the Board of Education for a Commonwealth of Virginia Vietnam War Veteran Honorary High School Diploma by filing, in compliance with Board guidelines, a statement declaring that:

1. During the years between 1959 and 1975, he served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces and was subsequently honorably discharged;

2. He enlisted in or was drafted into the United States Armed Forces while still enrolled as a secondary school student in any school in any state or territory of the United States or any school located on or associated with a United States military base or embassy; and

3. He was unable to resume his secondary education upon returning to civilian life.

C D. The Board of Education shall establish guidelines setting forth the timelines and procedures for applying for such diplomas. Upon the filing of the required statement in accordance with its guidelines, the Board of Education shall award the veteran either a Commonwealth of Virginia World War II Veteran Honorary High School Diploma, or a Commonwealth of Virginia Korean War Veteran Honorary High School Diploma, or a Commonwealth of Virginia Vietnam War Veteran Honorary High School Diploma. Such diplomas shall be delivered to eligible veterans during the first full week in September that has been designated, in accordance with § 2.2-3309.1, as the Virginia World War II Veterans Appreciation Week, or during the first full week in November that has been designated, in accordance with § 2.2-3309.1, as the Virginia Korean War Veterans Appreciation Week, or during the first full week in November that has been designated, in accordance with § 2.2-3310, as Vietnam War Memorial Dedication Week and Veterans' Recognition Week in the Commonwealth.