Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)September 11, 2001, will forever be one of the darkest days in the history of the United States. (2)Nearly 3,000 people, including citizens of over 90 nations, died as a direct result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York, New York, the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, and in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. (3)The first responders who served heroically at Ground Zero in the City of New York paid a heavy toll, with over 400 fire, police, and rescue members making the ultimate sacrifice. (4)The Freedom Flag was designed by a Virginian on September 20, 2001, to foster the establishment of a national symbol of remembrance that honors and remembers the victims, heroic first responders, and all who were affected by the events of September 11, 2001. (5)The meaning of the Freedom Flag is illustrated by the colors and symbols of the flag, which are— (A)an Old Glory blue background symbolizing all Americans united together for freedom; (B)one white star symbolizing all who live and died for freedom; (C)five white bars symbolizing the Pentagon and the organized protection of our freedom; (D)one top Old Glory red stripe symbolizing the bloodshed of the people who perished at the Pentagon and the crew and passengers killed on American Airlines Flight 77; (E)two broad Old Glory red stripes symbolizing the Twin Towers and the bloodshed of the people who perished at the World Trade Center and on American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175; (F)one bottom Old Glory red stripe symbolizing the bloodshed of the crew and passengers who perished on United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania; and (G)three white stripes symbolizing the rescue workers, firefighters, police officers, Port Authority employees, and others who worked tirelessly during and after the terrorist attacks. (6)On October 25, 2001, a flag maker sewed the first Freedom Flag and unveiled the flag on December 16, 2001. (7)On November 12, 2001, the Freedom Flag was officially adopted by the Virginia Historical Society as part of a special exhibition in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution to commemorate the events of 9/11. (8)The design of the 9/11 Remembrance Flag adheres to the five principles of Good Flag Design defined by the North American Vexillological Association. (9) In 2018, the Virginia General Assembly voted unanimously to add the 9/11 Remembrance Flag to the Code of Virginia as Virginia’s official flag of remembrance of the events of September 11, 2001, making it our nation’s first codified 9/11 remembrance flag when it was signed into law on March 30, 2018. (10)The 9/11 Remembrance Flag has also been adopted by the legislatures of Oklahoma (May 16, 2022) and Delaware (Sept. 8, 2022), and has flown or been displayed on 9/11 and for Patriot Day lessons in all 50 states, including at thousands of schools, fire/rescue stations, police stations, and civic institutions. (11)Over 7,000 members of the Armed Forces of the United States have made the ultimate sacrifice in the Global War on Terrorism since September 11, 2001. (12)The aftermath of 9/11 cleanup activities continues to take a toll on first responders, including over 3,000 who have perished due to 9/11-related illness since the attacks. (13)The symbols of the Freedom Flag serve as a meaningful educational tool and a unifying emblem of patriotism and remembrance. (14)Nearly 100,000,000 Americans have been born since September 11, 2001, or were too young to remember the events that occurred on that day. (15)The Freedom Flag memorializes the courageous and ongoing response of all Americans to threats against our freedom. (16)The Freedom Flag is a symbol of our Nation’s concern and commitment to remembering all of the lives lost as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Freedom Flag

(a)

In general

Chapter 9 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

905.

Freedom Flag

(a)

In general

The Freedom Flag is designated as the national symbol of remembrance for September 11, 2001, and to support educational efforts of teaching future generations about the tragic events and many lives lost on such date, including programming through the 9/11 Memorial Museum and the Pentagon Memorial Foundation. (b)

Required display

The Freedom Flag shall be displayed each year on Patriot Day, from September 11 through the end of September at— (1)the Capitol; (2)the White House; (3)each national cemetery; (4)each major military installation, as designated by the Secretary of Defense; (5)the building containing the official office of— (A)the Secretary of State; (B)the Secretary of Defense; and (C)the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and (6)each United States Postal Service post office. (c)

Display visible to public

The Freedom Flag shall be displayed pursuant to subsection (b) in a manner designed to ensure visibility to the public. (d)

Order of precedence

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Freedom Flag shall follow the POW/MIA Flag in any order of precedence. (e)

Flag materials

The disposal and retirement of the Freedom Flag shall comply with Veterans Affairs retirement and flag disposal practices.

(b)

Clerical amendment

The analysis for chapter 9 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

905. Freedom Flag.