[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12442]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                FLAG DAY

  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, this Saturday, June 14, our Nation 
celebrates Flag Day. It was on this day 231 years ago that the Second 
Continental Congress officially adopted the red, white, and blue flag 
to serve as an icon for our newly formed Nation. Living and working in 
the United States, one may find it easy to overlook the prevalence of 
our flag--it stands atop buildings, in school yards, next to libraries, 
and even in our neighborhoods. President Woodrow Wilson, in recognition 
of the significance of our flag, set aside June 14 as a day to observe 
our flag and take pride in our Nation.
  The first flag, commonly known as the ``Betsy Ross'' flag--given the 
name after the legend that she designed the flag--contained 13 stars 
and stripes to symbolize the 13 original colonies. As our Nation grew, 
so did the stars in the constellation, finally leaving us with the 50 
stars that we all recognize today.
  One of the many beautiful aspects of our flag is that it can mean 
different things to different folks and is even open to your own 
personal interpretation. For many, the flag represents freedom; for 
others, individual rights or justice. For some, it is a reminder of 
those who fought to protect all Americans' right to life, liberty, and 
the pursuit of happiness.
  Our first President, George Washington, had this to say about the 
flag's symbolism: ``We take the stars from heaven, the red from our 
mother country, separate it by white in stripes, thus showing that we 
have separated from her.''
  This year, we honor our flag the day before Father's Day. In light of 
this, I would especially like to pay tribute to all the fathers serving 
in our armed forces who will be unable to celebrate with their families 
this weekend. I ask that we keep these brave men--whose service ensures 
the freedom that our flag so gallantly symbolizes--in our hearts and 
prayers as we celebrate Flag Day.
  In closing, let me read an excerpt from a poem that is familiar to 
many in our country, because it has been read at countless ceremonies 
where American citizens are gathered. It's entitled ``I am the Flag,'' 
and it was written by Howard Schnauber:

     I am the flag of the United States of America.
     My name is Old Glory.
     I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
     I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
     I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
     I stand guard with power in the world.
     Look up . . . and see me.

     I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
     I stand for freedom.
     I am confident.
     I am arrogant.
     I am proud.

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