[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9228]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 THE ANNIVERSARY OF FLAG DAY AND THE FOUNDING OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT

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                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 14, 2011

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heartfelt sense 
of patriotism that I rise to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Flag 
Day, as well as the 375th anniversary of Hartford, Connecticut.
  The concept of ``Flag Day'' actually originated in Hartford. Just 
before the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Hartford resident George 
Morris imagined Flag Day as an opportunity to promote the idea of a 
strong union in the face of a looming conflict. Later that year the 
Hartford Daily Courant newspaper endorsed Morris' idea, and in 1862 the 
General Assembly in Hartford made Connecticut the first State to 
recognize June 14th as Flag Day.
  The great city of Hartford was founded 375 years ago by Reverend 
Thomas Hooker and has played an instrumental role in our Nation's 
history throughout the years. Whether it was laying the foundation for 
the United States Constitution or being the home to distinguished 
citizens such as Mark Twain, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Sam Colt, 
Hartford's history has forever been interwoven with that of our great 
country.
  Given that the City of Hartford has played such a historic role in 
shaping the United States, it is no surprise that the idea of Flag Day 
originated there.

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