[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 192 (Thursday, December 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E3024]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         A TRIBUTE TO BOB HEFT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 16, 2009

  Mr. CAMP. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to and remember 
the life of an outstanding individual, Mr. Robert G. Heft of Saginaw, 
MI, who I am sad to report passed away this week.
  Mr. Heft, who liked to be called simply ``Bob,'' was a man whose 
innovation and patriotism created a legacy that reaches even into outer 
space.
  Bob was the man behind a true representation of patriotism, the 
symbol of our Nation that flies proudly today above this very building, 
across the country, around the world, and yes, is even on the moon.
  Using his mother's sewing machine and a hot iron, Bob created the 
first fifty-star flag as an assignment for school. His teacher 
originally gave him a B minus, so they made a deal: if Bob's design was 
accepted by Congress, he would change the grade to an A.
  So Bob sent his prototype to his Governor and Congressman.
  Then, one morning in 1958, Bob received a very special phone call. On 
the other end of the line was President Dwight D. Eisenhower, 
personally calling the high schooler to tell him that Bob's version of 
the American Flag was picked by the President to replace the 48-star 
flag as the official design for our recently-expanded Nation. Bob's 
flag was chosen from more than 190,000 entries submitted.
  Bob was there with the President on July 4, 1960, when the flag was 
flown for the first time. What began as a history project later became 
the longest-serving flag in American History, an American icon, and the 
true face of freedom. Bob's work is an inspiration to our students that 
each morning recite the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United 
States of America.
  And yes, it was his flag that just a few years later was launched and 
planted on the Moon, a perpetual reminder that our citizens' innovative 
talents know no bounds.
  Bob's service to our Nation did not end there though. He was a 
longtime Professor at Northwest State Community College in Archbold, 
Ohio. After his retirement, Bob served as mayor of Napoleon, Ohio for 
14 years, becoming the longest serving mayor in the town's history. 
During this time, Bob also became a popular motivational speaker, going 
to schools and veterans' groups all over the country to tell his unique 
stories. The many that met him said that Bob emanated a true warmth and 
love for his country.
  I wish to extend my sincere thanks to Bob Heft, a true patriot 
throughout his life. I also wish to extend my deepest condolences to 
his family and friends. Though most citizens may have never met him, 
all have been touched by the symbol of American freedom that he 
created, and has become part of the integral fabric of this country.

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