Memorializing the unborn by lowering the United States flag to half-staff on the 22d day of January each year.
If adopted, HR52 would impact state laws in terms of memorialization practices and flag etiquette. It encourages local and state governments to recognize this date officially by lowering flags, thereby influencing collective societal norms around the issue of abortion. The resolution also serves as a call to action for legislators to enact laws that align with the bill's message that respects the sanctity of life, potentially spurring further legislative measures aimed at restricting or regulating abortion at state levels.
House Resolution 52 (HR52) proposes a symbolic gesture to memorialize the unborn by designating January 22nd each year as a day to lower the United States flag to half-staff. This date marks the anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, which initially recognized abortion as a constitutional right in 1973. The resolution comes in the context of the Court's recent decision in June 2022 to overturn Roe, reaffirming that there is no constitutional right to abortion. Proponents of the resolution aim to honor the lives lost through abortion, claiming over 60 million unborn children have perished since the ruling in 1973.
The resolution is likely to spark various points of contention regarding the state's role in memorializing and legislating issues surrounding reproductive rights. Supporters see it as a necessary acknowledgment of the value of life, while opponents may argue it politicizes a deeply personal and divisive issue. Critics may also express concerns over the potential implications for women's rights and reproductive health legislation, viewing the resolution as an attempt to influence public sentiment and lawmaking in favor of anti-abortion stances.