83R5879 JWI-D
By: Price H.R. No. 327
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The United States adopted the Stars and Stripes as
its official flag on June 14, 1777, and each year, Americans
celebrate the anniversary of that momentous event as Flag Day; and
WHEREAS, Beginning in the late 19th century, proud citizens
contemplated setting aside a special time to reflect on the
significance of their beloved flag; in 1885, a Wisconsin public
school teacher arranged for his students to commemorate "Flag
Birthday" on June 14, and a kindergarten teacher in New York City
took up the cause four years later; the Betsy Ross House in
Philadelphia held Flag Day activities in 1891, and the National
Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania soon joined in honoring the flag on the anniversary of
its adoption; within the decade, Chicago hosted a general public
school observance in parks around the city for more than 300,000
children; and
WHEREAS, President Woodrow Wilson established Flag Day by
proclamation in 1916, advising his fellow Americans to consider it
"a day upon which we should direct our minds with a special desire
of renewal to thoughts of the ideals and principles of which we have
sought to make our great Government the embodiment"; communities
around the country began to celebrate June 14 each year, and in
1949, President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress officially
designating June 14 as National Flag Day; and
WHEREAS, A powerful symbol of freedom and democracy, "Old
Glory" inspires patriotism in the hearts of all Americans, and this
special occasion provides an opportunity for residents of the Lone
Star State to solemnly reflect on the rich history of our nation and
its flag; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate Flag Day on June 14, 2013, and
encourage all Texans to display the American flag.