Holidays and Days of Special Observance - As enacted, designates October 11 of each year to be observed as "General Pulaski Memorial Day." - Amends TCA Title 15, Chapter 2. Companion bill has been assigned Public Chapter, the official text

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      State f/JetllleSsee

                             PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 676

                                                    SENATE BILL NO. 2391

                                                              By Hensley

                                           Substituted for: House Bill No. 2378

                                                      By Doggett, Sparks

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 15, Chapter 2, relative to a day of special
          observance to celebrate Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski.

          WHEREAS, Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1745, was a
renowned military commander and a dedicated champion of liberty who fought courageously against
tyranny in both his homeland and the United States; and

          WHEREAS, following a meeting with Benjamin Franklin in Paris, Casimir Pulaski arrived in
Philadelphia in 1777, offering his services to the Continental Army with the famous declaration to
General George Washington: "I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live
or die for it"; and

          WHEREAS, General Pulaski demonstrated extraordinary valor at the Battle of Brandywine,
where he led a daring charge that is credited with saving the life of General George Washington and
preventing a rout of the American forces; and

          WHEREAS, in recognition of General Pulaski's military prowess and leadership, the
Continental Congress appointed him a Brigadier General and authorized the formation of an
independent corps of cavalry and light infantry, known as the Pulaski Legion, earning him the
enduring title of "Father of the American Cavalry"; and

          WHEREAS, on October.9, 1779, while leading a cavalry charge against British forces during
the Siege of Savannah, General Pulaski was mortally wounded, and subsequently passed away on
October 11, 1779, making the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of American independence; and

          WHEREAS, the memory of General Pulaski is woven into the history and geography of this
State, most notably through the City of Pulaski, the county seat of Giles County, Tennessee, which
was named in his honor to memorialize his heroism; and

          WHEREAS, October 11 is federally recognized as General Pulaski Memorial Day, and it is
fitting that the State of Tennessee formally sets aside this day to honor his legacy, celebrate the
contributions of Polish-Americans to our State, and remember the price paid for our nation's
freedom; and

          WHEREAS, it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this day be commemorated with
suitable patriotic and public exercises in observing and commemorating the death of this great
American hero of the Revolutionary War; now, therefore,

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

          SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 15, Chapter 2, is amended by adding the
following as a new section:

                    October 11 of each year is to be observed as "General Pulaski Memorial Day." This
          day is not a legal holiday as defined in § 15-1-101.

          SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.
         SENATE BILL NO. 2391

PASSED:  March 23, 2026

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                                   SPEAKER OF THE SENA TE

                         CAMER~XTON,SPEAKER
                         HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APPROVED this 7-ffL day of /dpri I               2026

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                        BILL LEE, GOVERNOR

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