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S. 769Senate118th Congress (2023-2025)Passed Senate

U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day Act of 2023

Sponsored by Christopher A. CoonsSen. Christopher A. Coons (D-DE)
Introduced March 9, 2023

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 4:36 AM UTC

The bill amends Title 36 of the U.S. Code to create a new national observance and symbol. It designates March 9 as U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day and establishes the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag as an official emblem recognizing Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad.

Key Provisions

  • March 9 is designated as U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, and the President is asked each year to issue a proclamation encouraging public observance.
  • The Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag is officially recognized as a symbol of the nation’s commitment to freeing detained citizens and lawful permanent residents.
  • The flag must be displayed at the Capitol, the White House, and the offices of the Secretaries of State and Defense on March 9, Flag Day (June 14), Independence Day (July 4), and any day a detained individual returns to the U.S. or dies while detained.
  • Displays must be visible to the public, and no employee may be required to work solely to provide for the flag’s display.

Legislative Activity

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6 earlier actions
HouseFloor Latest Action

Held at the desk.

June 5, 2023 • 2:18 PM

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

March 9, 2023

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

March 9, 2023

SenateCommittee

Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

Judiciary Committee

May 31, 2023

SenateFloor

Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1824; text: CR S1824)

May 31, 2023

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

June 2, 2023

HouseFloor

Received in the House.

June 5, 2023 • 2:07 PM

HouseFloor

Held at the desk.

June 5, 2023 • 2:18 PM

Bill Text

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Engrossed in SenateIssued May 31, 2023

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 769

AN ACT

To amend title 36, United States Code, to designate March 9 as U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day and to designate the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag as an official symbol to recognize citizens of the United States held as hostages or wrongfully detained abroad.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day Act of 2023.

2.

Designation

(a)

Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day

(1)

In general

Chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is amended—

(A)

by redesignating the second section 146 (relating to Choose Respect Day) as section 147; and

(B)

by adding at the end the following:

148.

U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day

(a)

Designation

March 9 is U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day.

(b)

Proclamation

The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

.

(2)

Technical and conforming amendment

The table of sections for chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to the second section 146 and inserting the following new items:

147. Choose Respect Day.

148. U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day.

.

(b)

Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag

(1)

In general

Chapter 9 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

904.

Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag

(a)

Designation

The Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag championed by the Bring Our Families Home Campaign is designated as the symbol of the commitment of the United States to recognizing, and prioritizing the freedom of, citizens and lawful permanent residents of the United States held as hostages or wrongfully detained abroad.

(b)

Required display

(1)

In general

The Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag shall be displayed at the locations specified in paragraph (3) on the days specified in paragraph (2).

(2)

Days specified

The days specified in this paragraph are the following:

(A)

U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, March 9.

(B)

Flag Day, June 14.

(C)

Independence Day, July 4.

(D)

Any day on which a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States—

(i)

returns to the United States from being held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad; or

(ii)

dies while being held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad.

(3)

Locations specified

The locations specified in this paragraph are the following:

(A)

The Capitol.

(B)

The White House.

(C)

The buildings containing the official office of—

(i)

the Secretary of State; and

(ii)

the Secretary of Defense.

(c)

Display To be in a manner visible to the public

Display of the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag pursuant to this section shall be in a manner designed to ensure visibility to the public.

(d)

Limitation

This section may not be construed or applied so as to require any employee to report to work solely for the purpose of providing for the display of the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag.

.

(2)

Technical and conforming amendment

The table of sections for chapter 9 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

904. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag.

.

Passed the Senate May 31 (legislative day, May 30), 2023.

Secretary