IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 261 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Members of Congress should support and promote the respectful and dignified disposal 

of worn and tattered American flags. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 13, 2013 

Mr. LIPINSKI (for himself, Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee, Mr. AMODEI, Mr. 

MICHAUD, and Mr. BACHUS) submitted the following resolution; which 

was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that 

Members of Congress should support and promote the 

respectful and dignified disposal of worn and tattered 

American flags. 

Whereas the American flag has represented the United States 

and American principles at home and abroad for over 

200 years; 

Whereas the American flag is seen as a symbol of freedom 

and democracy at home and abroad; 

Whereas the United States Armed Forces have proudly raised 

the American flag in conflicts overseas for generations; 

Whereas the evolution of the American flag design is a window into United States history and government; 


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•HRES 261 IH 

Whereas President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14, 

1917, as a day for United States citizens to come together to celebrate ‘‘Flag Day’’; 

Whereas in 1949, Congress officially designated June 14 as 

‘‘Flag Day’’, and in 1966 designated the week in which 

June 14 occurs as ‘‘National Flag Week’’; 

Whereas every ‘‘Flag Day’’, United States citizens are called 

upon to display American flags in and around their 

homes; 

Whereas the American flag accompanies the caskets of men 

and women in the United States Armed Forces who have 

given the ultimate sacrifice for their Nation; 

Whereas the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign 

Wars, the Boy Scouts of America, and other organizations perform a public service by conducting dignified 

flag disposal services; 

Whereas in the City of Chicago, Illinois, a recent statute allows worn and tattered flags to be brought to police and 

fire stations for proper and respectful disposal; 

Whereas the United States Flag Code sets standards for 

proper etiquette in displaying, caring for, and repairing 

the American flag; and 

Whereas the United States Flag Code also states that worn 

or tattered American flags, ‘‘should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning’’: Now, therefore, 

be it 

1 Resolved, That it is the sense the House of Represent2 atives that— 

3 (1) elected Members of Congress should work to 

4 promote public awareness of the importance of propVerDate Mar 15 2010 19:58 Jun 14, 2013 Jkt 029200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR261.IH HR261

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•HRES 261 IH 

1 er flag etiquette, including the proper disposal of 

2 worn and tattered American flags; 

3 (2) elected Members of Congress should work to 

4 aid the respectful and dignified disposal of worn and 

5 tattered American flags in their districts and among 

6 their constituents, and should cooperate with the 

7 American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the 

8 Boy Scouts of America, and other such organiza9 tions in their efforts; 

10 (3) the American Legion, the Veterans of For11 eign Wars, the Boy Scouts of America, and other or12 ganizations that conduct respectful ceremonies dis13 posing of worn and tattered American flags should 

14 be commended for the public service they perform 

15 for all United States citizens; and 

16 (4) the City of Chicago, Illinois, should be com17 mended for its policies regarding flag disposal, mak18 ing it easy and convenient for its citizens to properly 

19 dispose of their tattered and worn American flags. 

Æ 


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