Source: http://www.gettysburgflag.com/Flag-Code.php
Timestamp: 2014-12-22 02:44:17
Document Index: 179181864

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 594', 'art14', '§ 4', '§ 7', '§ 7']

This report presents, verbatim, the United States “Flag Code” as found in Title 4 of the United States Code and the section of Title 36 which designates the Star- Spangled Banner as the national anthem and provides instructions on how to display the flag during its rendition. The “Flag Code” includes instruction and rules on such topics as the pledge of allegiance, display and use of the flag by civilians, time and occasions for display, position and manner of display, and how to show respect for the flag. The “Code” also grants to the President the authority to modify the rules governing the flag.
The report also addresses several of the frequently asked questions concerning the flag. The subject matter of these questions includes the pledge of allegiance and the court decisions concerning it, the nature of the codifications of customs concerning the flag in the “Flag Code,” display of the flag 24 hours a day, flying the flag in bad weather, flying the flag at half-staff, ornaments on the flag, destruction of worn flags, display of the U.S. flag with flags of other nations or of States, commercial use of the flag, size and proportion of the flag, and restrictions upon display of the flag by real estate associations.
The United States Flag: Federal Law
Relating to Display and Associated
Public concern and confusion regarding the proper respect shown to the United States flag has given rise to many questions on the law relating to the flag’s handling, display, and use. Both the state governments and the federal government have enacted legislation on this subject.
The Federal Flag Code does not purport to cover all possible situations. Although the Code empowers the President of the United States to alter, modify, repeal, or prescribe additional rules regarding the flag,4 no federal agency has the authority to issue “official” rulings legally binding on civilians or civilian groups.
Consequently, different interpretations of various provisions of the Code may continue to be made. The Flag Code itself, however, suggests a general rule by which practices involving the flag may be fairly tested: “No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America.”5 Therefore, actions not specifically included in the Code may be deemed acceptable as long as proper respect is shown.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”, should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men
Under § 9 Veterans and members of the military not in uniform are now permitted to
salute. See, 4 U.S.C. § 9 as amended by P.L. 110-181, § 594.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday was added by P.L. 106-80, 113 Stat. 1285. should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart14. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.
(d) The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on New Year’s Day, January 1; Inauguration Day, January 20; Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, the third Monday in January;15 Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12; Washington’s Birthday, third Monday in February; Easter Sunday (variable); Mother’s Day, second Sunday in May; Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May; Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May; Flag Day, June 14; Independence Day, July 4; Labor Day, first Monday in September; Constitution Day, September 17; Columbus Day, second Monday in October; Navy Day, October 27; Veterans Day, November 11; Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November; Christmas Day, December 25; and such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States; the birthdays of States (date of admission); and on State holidays.
the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker’s desk, draping in front of the platform, and for a decoration in general.
Frequently Asked Questions on Flag Display, Use,
The Pledge of Allegiance is set forth in 4 U.S.C. § 4. In 1954, Congress added to the “Pledge of Allegiance” the phrase “under God” after “nation”.16 Questions about the “Pledge of Allegiance” usually involve practices and requirements of local and state statutes mandating participation in the recitation of the “Pledge” in some manner (e.g., flag salute and pledge, standing quietly, standing at attention) in schools. Provisions involving compulsory participation in “Pledge” activities are usually attacked as violations of the free speech clause of the First Amendment or the free exercise of religion clause. In 1943, the Supreme Court held that a state-required compulsory flag salute- Pledge of Allegiance violated the First Amendment rights of members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses religious group.17 In 2002, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit had held both the 1954 federal statute adding the words “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance and a California school district policy requiring teachers to lead willing school children in reciting the pledge each school day to violate the
Report RS21250, The Constitutionality of Including the Phrase “Under God” in the Pledge
See e.g., Homes v. Wallace, 407 F. Supp. 493 (M.D. Ala.), aff’d without published
Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.18 A subsequent modification eliminated the holding regarding the federal statute but retained the ruling holding that the California statute coerces children into participating in a religious exercise.19 The Supreme Court, on Flag Day 2004, reversed the Ninth Circuit, finding that Newdow lacked standing to challenge the school district’s policy.20
The Flag Code states: The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all weather flag is displayed.32 The language of this section reflects the now-popular use of flags made of synthetic fabrics that can withstand unfavorable weather conditions. It is not considered disrespectful to fly such a flag even during prolonged periods of inclement weather. However, since the section speaks in terms of “days when the weather is inclement,” it apparently does not contemplate that on an otherwise fair day, the flag should be lowered during brief periods of precipitation.
The Flag Code sets out detailed instructions on flying the flag at half-staff on Memorial Day and as a mark of respect to the memory of certain recently deceased public officials.33 This section embodies the substance of Presidential Proclamation No. 3044,34 entitled “Display of Flag at Half-Staff Upon Death of Certain Officials and Former Officials.” The section provides that the President shall order the flag flown at half-staff for stipulated periods “upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a state, territory, or possession.” After the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag may be flown at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or in accordance with recognized custom not inconsistent with law. In addition, the Governor of a state, territory, or possession, or the Mayor
34 Op. Atty. Gen. 483. of the District of Columbia, may direct that the national flag be flown at half-staff, in the event of the death of a present or former official of the respective government or in the event of the death of a member of the Armed Forces from that jurisdiction.35 Presidents also have ordered the flag to be flown at half-staff on the death of leading citizens, not covered by law, as a mark of official tribute to their service to the United States. Martin Luther King, Jr. is among those who have been so honored. Again, the provisions of the Flag Code on flying the flag at half-staff are, like all the Code’s provisions, a guide only. They do not apply, as a matter of law, to the display of the flag at half-staff by private individuals and organizations. No federal restrictions or court decisions are known that limit such an individual’s lowering his own flag or that make such display alone a form of desecration.
The Flag Code is silent as to ornaments (finials) for flagstaffs. We know of no law or regulation which restricts the use of a finial on the staff. The eagle finial is used not only by the President, the Vice-President, and many other federal agencies, but also by many civilian organizations and private citizens. The selection of the type finial used is a matter of preference of the individual or organization. The placing of a fringe on the flag is optional with the person or organization, and no Act of Congress or Executive Order either requires or prohibits the practice. Fringe is used on indoor flags only, as fringe on flags used outdoors would deteriorate rapidly. The fringe on a flag is considered an “honorable enrichment only” and its official use by the Army dates from 1895. A 1925 Attorney General’s Opinion states:
The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.37 The act is silent on procedures for burning a flag. It would seem that any procedure which is in good taste and shows no disrespect to the flag would be appropriate. The Flag Protection Act of 1989,38 struck down albeit on grounds unrelated to this specific point,39 prohibited inter alia “knowingly” burning of a flag of the United States, but excepted from prohibition “any conduct consisting of disposal of a flag when it has become worn or soiled.”
See, for example, Holmes v. Wallace, 407 F. Supp.493 (M.D. Ala.1976), aff’d without op.,
The wording of § 7(g) is identical to that of the original Flag Code enacted in 1942.42 The second sentence of § 7(c) prohibiting flying international flags equal in height to the flag of the United States was not in the original Flag Code. This provision was added in 1953.43 The legislative history of this amendment clearly states that is purpose was to “make it an offense against the United States to display the flag of the United Nations or any other national or international flag equal to, above, or in a position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the United States at any place within the United States or any possession or territory thereof,....”44 The only exception recognized is at the headquarters of the United Nations.
When the United States flag is displayed with the flags of states of the union or municipalities and not with the flags of other nations, the federal flag, which represents all states, should be flown above and at the center of the other flags.46 Where there is only one flag pole, the federal flag should be displayed above state or municipal flags.47
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