[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 97 (Friday, June 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            ENCOURAGING DISPLAY OF THE FLAG ON FATHER'S DAY

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                               speech of

                            HON. TODD TIAHRT

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 11, 2007

  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, today I was very pleased to help honor 
America's fathers by voting for H.R. 2356. This bill amends title 4 of 
the U.S. Code that governs how and when it is appropriate to fly the 
flag of the United States. I recently introduced similar legislation in 
this Congress, and I am pleased to work with other Members of Congress 
on both sides of the aisle to move this idea forward.
  Prior to 1923, flag etiquette was not established in U.S. law. 
Handling of the flag was done in accordance with traditions that traced 
back to service procedures in the Army and Navy. These procedures were 
codified during the National Flag Conference in 1923. Congress 
solidified these procedures in a joint resolution in 1942.
  Contained within this code is a list of holidays on which it is 
especially appropriate to fly the flag. Independence Day, Memorial Day 
and Veterans' Day are among the holidays listed. Mother's Day is 
rightfully on the list of recognized holidays. Unfortunately, Father's 
Day is not.
  This idea was actually suggested to me by Mr. Joe Beffer's 8th grade 
civics class at Roosevelt Middle School in Coffeyville, Kansas. The 
students had a six week assignment to replicate the legislative 
process, complete with elected Representatives, Senators, and a 
President.
  One young man noticed that our flag code did not recognize Father's 
Day as a holiday on which it is especially encouraged to fly our 
Nation's flag. He offered a bill to add Father's Day to the honored 
holidays and it passed their replica Congress. I was honored when the 
class passed their idea to me. I am pleased to be a part of this 
Congress' efforts to help honor the contributions America's fathers 
continue to make to our strong Nation.

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