Special Recognition of the Semicentennial of the City of Findlay Being Designated As Flag City, U.S.A.

Floor Speech

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Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Semicentennial of the City of Findlay being designated as ``Flag City, U.S.A.''. Through a community-wide effort, spearheaded by the Women's Division of the Chamber of Commerce, the City of Findlay was named the Flag Capital of the United States on Flag Day, June 14, 1968. A proclamation by Congressman Jackson E. Betts became part of the Congressional Record on June 12, 1968. Findlay was officially declared ``Flag City, U.S.A.'' on May 7, 1974, by House Joint Resolution 1003, which was introduced by Congressman Tennyson Guyer.

The effort started with John B. Cooke, member of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), who believed it was important to fly the American Flag. Mr. Cooke had the idea that every house in Findlay should fly an American Flag on Flag Day, June 14, so he went around the city speaking to businesses and individual citizens to make it happen. A fund was created by the John Hancock Chapter of the SAR to help fund Mr. Cooke's goal to buy 14,000 small flags. The goal was accomplished with enough money remaining to dedicate a plaque in memory of those men and women who fought for our nation's freedom.

The media was notified that Findlay would become the Flag Capital of the United States on Flag Day. On Wednesday, June 12, 1968, the Honorable Jackson E. Betts, Member of Congress from District 4, made a presentation in the House of Representatives and requested that a flag fly over the Capitol to mark the occasion. On June 14, 1968, flags waved, and the enthusiasm was set for the future flying of the National Flag. This tradition continued until 1974. By that time, Congressman Tennyson Guyer had replaced Congressman Betts in Congress. The Women's Division of the Chamber of Commerce started a campaign to have the flags fly once again and for Findlay to become Flag City, USA. Finally, Congressman Guyer introduced House Joint Resolution 1003, and Findlay was officially declared Flag City, USA. Since then, Findlay's community leaders, businesses, and residents have taken great pride in this designation.

Findlay has become a growing community of over 40,000 citizens. It is an international community with several world-wide corporations and industries located in Findlay. For the last decade, Findlay has been named the Top Micropolitan Community in the United States by Site Selection Magazine. Every year, the city is proving that its values are based on hard work, patriotism, and a spirit of outstanding American ingenuity.

Mr. Speaker, by celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Findlay's designation, we recognize the outstanding achievements and pride that Findlay citizens have for their city. Congratulations to the City of Findlay on 50 years of being designated as ``Flag City, U.S.A.''

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