Section 1302 - Persian Gulf War Veterans Day(a) Legislative findings and declarations.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows: (1) On August 2, 1990, Saddam Hussein ordered Iraqi troops to invade and occupy the sovereign nation of Kuwait.(2) The United States led an international coalition demanding Saddam Hussein to withdraw Iraqi forces from Kuwait by January 15, 1991.(3) After Iraq failed to meet the deadline, passed by the United Nations Security Council, President George H. W. Bush on January 16, 1991, ordered United States Armed Forces to begin "Operation Desert Storm."(4) On January 17, 750,000 coalition forces from 36 nations, including 540,000 United States Armed Forces, began the battle to liberate Kuwait from occupation.(5) After an intensive air campaign, coalition forces liberated Kuwait City on February 28, 1991.(6) On March 6, after negotiating a cease-fire, President Bush announced the end of combat operations.(7) By the end of the conflict, 200 United States Armed Forces members were killed, including 29 from this Commonwealth.(8) The bravery of United States Armed Forces and their allies should be recognized for the liberation of Kuwait and restoration of Kuwait's sovereignty as an independent nation.(b) Designation.--March 6 of each year is designated as "Persian Gulf War Veterans Day."(c)Proclamation.--The Governor shall issue annually a proclamation encouraging all public schools and educational institutions to observe " Persian Gulf War Veterans Day" and to conduct exercises recognizing the contributions of all those involved in the Persian Gulf War and remembering the sacrifices they made for their country. The proclamation may not mandate a public school or educational institution to participate in the observance.Added by P.L. TBD 2021 No. 87, § 1, eff. 11/17/2021.