[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 99 (Wednesday, June 12, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E616]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF THE SEMICENTENNIAL OF THE CITY OF FINDLAY BEING 
                    DESIGNATED AS FLAG CITY, U.S.A.

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                          HON. ROBERT E. LATTA

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 12, 2024

  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Semicentennial 
of the City of Findlay being designated as ``Flag City, U.S.A.''. 
Through a community-wide effort, spearheaded by the Women's Division of 
the Chamber of Commerce, the City of Findlay was named the Flag Capital 
of the United States on Flag Day, June 14, 1968. A proclamation by 
Congressman Jackson E. Betts became part of the Congressional Record on 
June 12, 1968. Findlay was officially declared ``Flag City, U.S.A.'' on 
May 7, 1974, by House Joint Resolution 1003, which was introduced by 
Congressman Tennyson Guyer.
  The effort started with John B. Cooke, member of the Sons of the 
American Revolution (SAR), who believed it was important to fly the 
American Flag. Mr. Cooke had the idea that every house in Findlay 
should fly an American Flag on Flag Day, June 14, so he went around the 
city speaking to businesses and individual citizens to make it happen. 
A fund was created by the John Hancock Chapter of the SAR to help fund 
Mr. Cooke's goal to buy 14,000 small flags. The goal was accomplished 
with enough money remaining to dedicate a plaque in memory of those men 
and women who fought for our nation's freedom.
  The media was notified that Findlay would become the Flag Capital of 
the United States on Flag Day. On Wednesday, June 12, 1968, the 
Honorable Jackson E. Betts, Member of Congress from District 4, made a 
presentation in the House of Representatives and requested that a flag 
fly over the Capitol to mark the occasion. On June 14, 1968, flags 
waved, and the enthusiasm was set for the future flying of the National 
Flag. This tradition continued until 1974. By that time, Congressman 
Tennyson Guyer had replaced Congressman Betts in Congress. The Women's 
Division of the Chamber of Commerce started a campaign to have the 
flags fly once again and for Findlay to become Flag City, USA. Finally, 
Congressman Guyer introduced House Joint Resolution 1003, and Findlay 
was officially declared Flag City, USA. Since then, Findlay's community 
leaders, businesses, and residents have taken great pride in this 
designation.
  Findlay has become a growing community of over 40,000 citizens. It is 
an international community with several world-wide corporations and 
industries located in Findlay. For the last decade, Findlay has been 
named the Top Micropolitan Community in the United States by Site 
Selection Magazine. Every year, the city is proving that its values are 
based on hard work, patriotism, and a spirit of outstanding American 
ingenuity.
  Mr. Speaker, by celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Findlay's 
designation, we recognize the outstanding achievements and pride that 
Findlay citizens have for their city. Congratulations to the City of 
Findlay on 50 years of being designated as ``Flag City, U.S.A.''

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