[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10377]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




COMMENDING ELKS LODGE IN FOREST GROVE, OREGON, FOR CELEBRATING FLAG DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAVID WU

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 9, 2010

  Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, as Flag Day approaches, I rise to pay tribute 
to our Nation and to commend the Elks Lodge in Forest Grove, Oregon, 
for celebrating Flag Day in my district.
  The United States flag is a hallmark of the enduring character of 
America. In 1818, Congress passed legislation that provided the basic 
design of our flag, with 13 stripes honoring the 13 original colonies 
and one star per state.
  Throughout our history citizens have honored the flag and the 
principles for which it stands, but we did not have an official day 
honoring our flag until President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential 
proclamation in 1916 establishing Flag Day. In 1949, congressional 
legislation designating June 14 as national Flag Day was signed into 
law by President Harry Truman.
  I am pleased to offer my thanks and support to the Elks Lodge of 
Forest Grove, Oregon, which has organized a Flag Day celebration to 
educate the community about our flag and its history. The Order of the 
Elks promotes American principles of individual freedom, opportunity, 
and dignity, consistent with the principles that the U.S. flag 
represents.
  I am honored to provide the Elks Lodge of Forest Grove with a flag 
flown over the U.S. Capitol for their celebration, and I thank them for 
their service to our community and Nation.

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