SECTION 1. Chapter 2 of the General Laws, most recently amended by Chapter 162 of the Acts of 1997, is hereby further amended by adding after section 43 the following new section: -

Section 44. Samuel Whittemore, born in 1694, when not engaged in numerous wars and conflicts in America and Canada during the eighteenth century, was a hard working farmer in Menotomy, now Arlington, Massachusetts. On April 17, 1775, while working in his fields, Whittemore became aware of the retreating British army which had fought the militia men at Lexington and Concord. Although then over 80 years old, he immediately armed himself with his weapon; disregarded warnings of onlookers, and stationed himself behind a stone wall directly in the path of the troops which were being harassed by our militia. When the British army came into point blank range, Samuel Whittemore stood up, opened accurate fire, and killed three soldiers before he collapsed from numerous wounds inflicted by the enraged English combatants who then left him for dead. However, Whittemore recovered from his ghastly injuries and lived to be 90 years old. Samuel Whittemore is the oldest known Patriot to fight in the Revolutionary War. And most recently, the United States never had a braver warrior.

SECTION 2. Chapter 6 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding after section 12WW the following new section: -

Section 12XX. The governor shall annually issue a proclamation calling for a proper observance of February third, the anniversary of the death of Captain Whittemore, official hero of the Commonwealth, in lasting recognition of his courage, determination, outstanding service and unique contribution to America independence.