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. Price Branch ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 327 was adopted by the House on February 18, 2013, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House