[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 109 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        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 windows 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

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 concurring), 
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.