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[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 261 Introduced in House (IH)]

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;
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
    Resolved, That it is the sense the House of Representatives that--
            (1) elected Members of Congress should work to promote 
        public awareness of the importance of proper flag etiquette, 
        including the proper disposal of worn and tattered American 
        flags;
            (2) elected Members of Congress should work to aid the 
        respectful and dignified disposal of worn and tattered American 
        flags in their districts and among their constituents, and 
        should cooperate with the American Legion, the Veterans of 
        Foreign Wars, the Boy Scouts of America, and other such 
        organizations in their efforts;
            (3) the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the 
        Boy Scouts of America, and other organizations that conduct 
        respectful ceremonies disposing of worn and tattered American 
        flags should be commended for the public service they perform 
        for all United States citizens; and
            (4) the City of Chicago, Illinois, should be commended for 
        its policies regarding flag disposal, making it easy and 
        convenient for its citizens to properly dispose of their 
        tattered and worn American flags.
                                 <all>
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