[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 109 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 109


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 2, 2003

        Received and referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the Blue Star Flag and 
                             the Gold Star.

Whereas the Blue Star Flag (commonly referred to as the ``Blue Star Banner'') 
        was patented and designed in 1917, during the height of the 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.

            Passed the House of Representatives April 1, 2003.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.