[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING FLAG CITY USA

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                         HON. MICHAEL G. OXLEY

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 4, 2004

  Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to commemorate the 30th 
anniversary of the official designation of my hometown of Findlay, 
Ohio, as Flag City USA.
  Findlay's spirited celebration of Flag Day dates back to 1968, when 
an area businessman shared his passion for Old Glory with the 
community. John B. Cooke, a member of the Sons of the American 
Revolution, determined that every household in Findlay should display 
the flag on June 14. Speaking to industry and community groups 
throughout Findlay in support of this idea, he spearheaded a successful 
effort to purchase 14,000 flags. Area Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Camp 
Fire Girls distributed these flags to area households and businesses.
  My predecessor in Congress and former boss, Jackson Betts, recognized 
this achievement in a speech to the House on June 12, 1968. ``The 
strong patriotism of residents of my district,'' he said, ``has rarely 
been better exhibited than the present project which will make Findlay, 
Ohio, Flag City USA on June 14, 1968.'' Congressman Betts also 
contributed a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol to Findlay's Flag Day 
display.
  The event was heralded in the House by my immediate predecessor in 
Congress, Tennyson Guyer. On May 7, 1974, Congressman Guyer introduced 
a joint resolution to designate Findlay as Flag City USA, citing the 
1968 Flag Day event and the dedication of a plaque in Findlay to our 
armed forces on that day. This Friday, May 7, I will join my 
constituents at an event in Findlay hosted by the Hancock/Flag City 
Heritage Commission to commemorate the 30th anniversary of this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of Flag City know that Old Glory is far more 
than a piece of cloth. This point was most clearly illustrated in 1989, 
after the Supreme Court upheld flag burning as a protected act. More 
than 2,000 area residents gathered in Findlay's Dorney Plaza to 
celebrate our flag end express their strong opposition to this ruling. 
I was proud to join them at this event, where they presented me with a 
petition containing more than 5,000 signatures objecting to the Court's 
act.
  Our flag has never gone out of fashion in Findlay, but the post-
September 11 era has brought even more poignancy to the banners readily 
seen throughout our city. They remind us of the debt we owe to the 
brave men and women who fight in defense of our freedom--both those 
protecting our homeland domestically and those engaged on our behalf 
across the globe.
  As I go to work each day and see Old Glory flying over the Capitol 
dome, I reflect on our enduring freedoms celebrated each day in Findlay 
and in towns and villages throughout the nation. Our flag remains the 
most visible symbol of our nation and of the liberties we have too 
often taken for granted. It is a unifying sign in times of peace and 
war, renewing pride in America and continued hope for our future.
  It has been three decades since we were officially named Flag City 
USA, but Findlay's spirit of patriotism has shined brightly throughout 
its history. I salute the hard work of the Hancock/Flag City Heritage 
Commission for coordinating this commemoration, and thank all of the 
fine citizens of our community who maintain the pride of Flag City USA. 
They remind us that ours is the greatest nation on earth, and that our 
city is brimming with the American spirit.

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