HARRISBURG, May 25 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today passed state Rep. John Pallone's bill declaring March 30 of every year "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day."

House Bill 2357 now moves to the state Senate for consideration.

"The Vietnam War was controversial and many of our returning soldiers were met with protests instead of parades. This bill would help to heal the emotional wounds of the war for Pennsylvania servicemen and women," said Pallone, D-Westmoreland/Armstrong.

Pallone crafted the legislation after Dennis Gianotti, a Vietnam veteran from New Kensington, talked with him about the national movement to designate March 30 as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day."

"As a volunteer advocate for local veterans, I can see how important it is for those who served to know their sacrifice was appreciated. It is important that we designate a day where everyone could pause to think of the contributions of our Vietnam veterans," Gianotti said. "I want to thank Representative Pallone for his work in ensuring our Vietnam veterans are never forgotten."

The Vietnam War was fought from 1961-1975 with more than 58,000 members of the U.S Armed Forces killed; over 3,400 of them Pennsylvanians.  It was March 29, 1973, that the last remaining troops of the U.S Armed Forces withdrew from the Vietnam theatre.

Several states already have adopted "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" resolutions including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada and South Carolina.