[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 79 (Friday, June 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1067]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE CENTENNIAL OF THE OHIO BURGEE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID L. HOBSON

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 13, 2002

  Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th 
anniversary of the adoption of the Ohio state flag, which is officially 
and affectionately known as the Ohio burgee because of its unique 
swallowtail design. The Buckeye State is the only state in the union to 
have a flag that isn't rectangular, which is fitting, since Ohio is 
unlike any other state.
  Cuyahoga County resident John Eisenmann designed the burgee and then 
transferred his rights and interests in the flag to the State of Ohio. 
He received a U.S. patent for his design in 1901 and the Ohio 
Legislature officially adopted it on May 9, 1902. Mr. Eisenmann, an 
accomplished architect, may have been inspired by the shapes of the 
guidons carried by the U.S. cavalry. The flag was intended to be first 
flown from the Ohio building at the Pan-American Exposition of 1901, a 
circumstance which also may also have contributed to its unusual shape. 
Mr. Eisenmann also designed the Cleveland Arcade; was instrumental in 
the effort to construct the Perry Victory and International Peace 
Memorial at Put-In-Bay, and authored Cleveland's first comprehensive 
building code.
  The flag's large blue triangle represents Ohio's hills and valleys, 
and the stripes represent roads and waterways. The 13 stars grouped 
about the circle represent the original states of the union; the 4 
stars added to the peak of the triangle symbolize that Ohio was the 
17th state admitted to the union. The white circle with its red center 
not only represents the ``O'' in Ohio, but also suggests Ohio's famous 
nickname of ``The Buckeye State.''
  For 100 years, the Ohio burgee has been one of the most instantly 
recognizable symbols of the State of Ohio. It has flown beside Old 
Glory on thousands of flagpoles and been carried in parades celebrating 
our independence, noteworthy events in state history, even at the head 
of columns of Ohio troops returning from conflicts overseas.
  As we look forward to the upcoming Centennial of Flight celebration 
in Dayton and the state Bicentennial in 2003, I encourage all Ohioans 
to proudly display their Ohio burgee on its 100th anniversary.

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