Executive Order 32

In THE NAME AND By THe AuTHORITY OF THE STATE OF |owA

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER THIRTY-TWO

WHEREAS, thousands of brave lowans have served our country in the armed forces, with honor and distinction, to preserve our heritage and freedom, and

WHEREAS, the people of lowa are immensely proud of these men and women, and will be indebted to them forever for their heroic sacrifices im the service and defense of this great nation, and

WHEREAS, we are especially mindful today of the sacrifices made by our lowa veterans, as we receive reports regarding lowans in uniform who have bost their lives, have been injured, or remain in harm's way in the war in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, the fighting spirit of this state's men and women, who have made unimaginable sacrifices to Protect our freedoms, are reflected by the five Sullivan brothers from Waterloo, lowa (Joseph, Frank, Albert, Madison. and George), and the entire Sullivan family, and

WHEREAS, on November 13, 1942, 9 Japanese torpedo struck the Sullivan brothers’ ship, the U.S.S. Juncau, off the island of Guadalcanal, killing all five brothers, and etching their memory forever into the conscience and soul of this nation. and

WHEREAS, it's our unyielding duty to honor the brave men and women in our armed forces, and pay tribute to the sacrifices of all lowa veterans; and

WHEREAS, the state of lowa is one of only 13 states in the nation without a state veteran's cemetery to provide veterans with a final resting place and a lasting monument to their memory of service and sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, the lowa Commission of Veteran's Affairs has long recognized the need for a state veterans cemetery; and

WHEREAS, 2 2001 study commissioned by the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs Nations) Cemetery Admunistranon identified central lows as a region in need of additional veteran buna! grounds:

NOW, THEREFORE, 1, Thomas J. Vilsack, by the power vested m me by the Constitution and laws of the State of lowa, do hereby establish through the lowa Veteran's Affairs Commission, in a manner consistent with existing law, a Commemorative lowa Medallion, featuring the profile of the five Sullivan brothers on one side, and an image of the lowa State Capitol on the other, for purchase by the general public. All proceeds generated from the sale of each medallion shall be used to fund the establishment and maintenance of an lowa Veteran's Cemetery in central lowa. The lowa Veteran's Affairs Commission shall oversee the implementation of this initiative, and partner with all necessary agencies to effectuate its purposes. If the funds collected are not utilized for the establishment of an lowa Veteran's Cemetery by December 31, 2008, all funds shall revert to the lowa Veteran’s Affairs Commission to be used by the commission to support and promote veterans services.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF. I have hereunto subscribed my mame and caused the Great Seal of lows to be affixed. Done at Des Moines this 11 day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand three.

av” ax Vib (OMAS J. VILSA GOVERNOR

4 VER SECRETARY OF STATE

COURTESY STATE LIBRARY OF IOWA