PRINTER'S NO. 969
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
167
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY MASTRIANO, JUNE 12, 2019
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, JUNE 12, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing June 14, 2019, as "National Flag Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, On June 14, 2019, Americans are observing the 242nd
anniversary of the flag of the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, "Flag Day" provides an opportunity for residents of
this Commonwealth to reflect on the rich history of our nation's
flag and its meaning to Americans and people around the world;
and
WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America are deeply committed to
preserving the American tradition of honoring "National Flag
Day"; and
WHEREAS, The Continental Congress adopted the Stars and
Stripes as the official flag of the United States on June 14,
1777; and
WHEREAS, Describing the new flag, the Congress wrote: "White
signifies Purity and Innocence; Red, Hardiness and Valor; Blue
signifies Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice"; and
WHEREAS, Over time, the flag's design evolved to keep pace
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with our nation's development and growth, but its meaning as a
symbol of democracy and freedom has remained constant; and
WHEREAS, "Flag Day" was first celebrated throughout the
country in 1877; and
WHEREAS, A caring teacher who inspired a love for learning
among his students sparked a renewed interest in the flag; and
WHEREAS, Wisconsin teacher B.J. Cigrand arranged for his
pupils to observe the 108th anniversary of the flag's official
adoption in 1885; and
WHEREAS, In the following years, B.J. Cigrand promoted an
official national celebration of June 14 as "Flag Birthday" or
"Flag Day" in magazine and newspaper articles and public
addresses; and
WHEREAS, Groups in Pennsylvania, New York and Illinois took
up the cause, and after three decades of state and local
celebrations, President Woodrow Wilson officially established
"Flag Day" by proclamation in 1916; and
WHEREAS, During World War II, Americans looked to the purity,
hardiness, valor, vigilance, perseverance and justice
represented by the flag as ideals worthy of the ultimate
sacrifice in order to defeat tyranny; and
WHEREAS, In celebration of the flag's powerful meaning to
Americans and its place in our culture and history, "Flag Day"
became a national observance by an act of the Congress of the
United States in 1949 and signed into law by President Harry S.
Truman; and
WHEREAS, On August 3, 1949, to commemorate the adoption of
the flag of the United States, Congress, by joint resolution,
designated June 14 of each year as "Flag Day" and requested that
the president issue an annual proclamation calling for a
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national observance and the display of the flag of the United
States on all Federal Government buildings; and
WHEREAS, In a second joint resolution, approved June 9, 1966,
Congress requested that the president annually issue a
proclamation designating the week during which June 14 falls as
"National Flag Week" and call upon all citizens of the United
States to display the flag during "National Flag Week";
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize June 14, 2019, as
"National Flag Day" in Pennsylvania.
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