Flag Day

Flag Day
June 3, 2005

Americans with a diverse range of opinions, backgrounds and experiences, universally fill with pride at the sight of the Stars and Stripes . There are many reasons the U.S. flag makes us proud. For example, the American flag remains the only nation's flag planted on the surface of the moon.

The American flag is a great national symbol. The enduring images of the Marines raising the flag during the battle of Iwo Jima , the firefighters defiantly hoisting it skyward in the remains of the "twin towers," and unfurling the flag over the still damaged Pentagon, are pictures that define the American character. With those images in mind and all of the sacrifices men and women have made throughout our history, defending our nation and the flag, I voted for H.J. Res. 4 in the 108 th Congress. The resolution proposed an amendment to the Constitution to prohibit desecration of the U.S. flag.

Popular mythology holds that Betsy Ross, a seamstress from Philadelphia , created the first U.S. flag. Although Ross was one of many who sewed flags during the Revolutionary War, there is little evidence that her design (the one with the stars arranged in a circle) was the first. Her grandson, William Canby, turns out to have been a good PR agent. Although William was 11 years old when Betsy Ross died, he told the story that credited his grandmother with creating the flag, with which most Americans are now familiar, at a meeting of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in 1870 - 94 years after it supposedly occurred.

The historical evidence suggests that Francis Hopkinson, a New Jersey native and signer of the Declaration of Independence, was most likely responsible for creating the design we recognize as the Stars and Stripes . Hopkinson also helped design other symbols for the government including the Great Seal of United States.

The flag came about as the result of a resolution adopted by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. The resolution read:

" Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars white in a blue field representing a new constellation ."

At the time the resolution was adopted, Hopkinson was the chairman of the Continental Navy Board's Middle Department. In 1780 he submitted a letter to the Continental Admiralty Board stating that he had designed "the flag of the United States of America ." He also noted several other items he had worked on including the Great Seal of the United States . As he had received no compensation for his work, he submitted a bill and asked "whether a Quarter Cask of the public Wine will not be a proper & reasonable Reward for these Labours of Fancy and a suitable Encouragement to future Exertions of a like Nature."

Congress appointed a commission to investigate the claim. Hopkinson's request was eventually turned down because Congress regarded him as a public servant but the journals of the Continental Congress suggest that he designed the flag.

Given the high regard that most Americans have for the flag, it's no surprise that of all the requests received by my offices, flag requests top the lists. U.S. flags that have been flown over the U.S. Capitol can be purchased from U.S. House Members and Senate offices. Flags are available in nylon as well as cotton and come in three sizes (3'x 5' - 4'x 6' - 5'x 8'). With six weeks notice, flags can be flown on a specific date for birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions. They come with a certificate signed by the Architect of the Capitol. The certificate can be personalized to reflect the occasion - although a limited number of words can be used.

Summer weather is an ideal time to show your appreciation for the great country we live in by flying an American flag at your home. For complete information and ordering instructions please see my website at www.house.gov/miketurner .

http://www.house.gov/miketurner/news/columns/6.03.05.shtml