H. Con. Res. 109
Agreed to April 11, 2003
One Hundred Eighth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE FIRST SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
the seventh day of January, two thousand and three
Concurrent Resolution
Whereas the Blue Star Flag (commonly referred to as the ‘‘Blue
Star Banner’’) was patented and designed in 1917, during the
height of World War I, by Army Captain Robert L. Queissner
of the 5th Ohio Infantry, who had two sons serving on the
front lines;
Whereas the Blue Star Flag quickly became the symbol for a
family member serving the Nation in the Armed Forces, and
families began proudly displaying these flags in their front win-
dows during World War I;
Whereas each Blue Star on the flag represents a family member
serving in the Armed Forces and symbolizes hope and pride;
Whereas beginning in 1918, the Blue Star would signify the living,
and a smaller Gold Star would be placed on top of the Blue
Star, forming a blue border, if the family member was killed
or died while on active duty, to symbolize the family member’s
sacrifice for the cause of freedom;
Whereas Blue Star Flags were displayed widely during World War
II;
Whereas many of the flags displayed during those wars were hand-
made by the mothers of those serving in the Armed Forces;
Whereas the legacy of the Blue Star Flag continued during the
Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf Wars and other periods of
conflict, as well as in times of peace;
Whereas the Blue Star Flag is the official flag authorized by law,
at section 901 of title 36, United States Code, to be displayed
in honor of a family member serving the United States on active
duty in the Armed Forces during a period of war or hostilities,
while the Gold Star may be displayed in honor of a family
member who has made the ultimate sacrifice for the Nation;
Whereas for over 85 years, families have proudly displayed the
Blue Star Flag showing United States service personnel the honor
and pride that is taken in their sacrifices for freedom;
Whereas the flag may be displayed by members of the immediate
family of a loved one serving in the Armed Forces;
Whereas the flag may be flown by families with a service member
stationed either domestically or overseas;
Whereas the display of the flag in the front window of a home
shows a family’s pride in their loved one and is a reminder
that preserving America’s freedom demands great sacrifice; and
H. Con. Res. 109—2
Whereas such a reminder is especially timely during the current
conflict with Iraq and the global war on terrorism: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concur-
ring), That the Congress—
(1) honors members of the United States Armed Forces
and their families;
(2) calls on all Americans to honor the members of the
United States Armed Forces and their families, to recognize
the importance of the Blue Star Flag and the Gold Star and
their symbolism of the devotion and service of the members
of the United States Armed Forces, and to advance awareness
of the Blue Star Flag and the Gold Star through all appropriate
information and media channels; and
(3) encourages the families of members of the Armed Forces
to proudly display the Blue Star Flag or, if their loved one
has made the ultimate sacrifice, the Gold Star.
SEC. 2. The authority on which this resolution rests is the
authority of Congress to make all laws which shall be necessary
and proper as provided in Article I, section 8 of the United States
Constitution.
Attest:
Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Attest:
Secretary of the Senate.