[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10769]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCING LEGISLATION FOR THE DISPLAY OF STATE AND TERRITORY FLAGS AT 
                        THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 15, 2010

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
legislation to ensure that the flags of the several States, the 
District of Columbia, and the Territories of the United States encircle 
the Washington Monument.
  Standing at 555 feet and 5\1/8\ inches tall, the Washington Monument 
is the most prominent structure in the nation's capital and is the 
world's tallest stone structure and the world's tallest obelisk. 
Completed in 1884, it memorializes the first President of the United 
States, President George Washington, who led our country to 
independence and helped shaped the role of the presidency and the 
course of our democracy in its early days. It was most fitting then 
that Congress in 1833 established the Washington National Monument 
Society to create a monument in honor of the Father of our Country.
  Today, the Washington Monument serves as a reminder of the greatness 
of this Nation, as an object of pride to the American people and of 
admiration to all who see it.
  The legislation I am proposing directs the U.S. National Park Service 
through the Secretary of Interior, to ensure that the flags of the 50 
States, the District of Columbia, and the Territories of the United 
States encircle the Washington Monument. As an object of pride to the 
American people, I think it is most fitting that the flags of all 
States, DC and U.S. Territories are flown at the Washington Monument.
  Yesterday, we celebrated our national Flag Day by commemorating the 
adoption of the national flag of the United States as proclaimed by 
President Woodrow Wilson on June 14, 1916. As such, a public display of 
State and Territory flags at the Washington Monument will be an 
opportunity for each State and Territory to share its own uniqueness 
through its icons and figures representing the traditions, values, and 
local histories that collectively have made the United States.
  Flags have always been a part of our history and traditions. This 
legislation will ensure that every American will be part of one of our 
great national treasures.

                          ____________________