[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 8694]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE FATHER OF FLAG DAY

  (Mr. HULTGREN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the father of Flag 
Day, Illinois' own Dr. Bernard Cigrand, on its 100th anniversary.
  An immigrant and a teacher, Dr. Cigrand believed his students needed 
a symbol to instill a sense of national identity. He first celebrated 
our flag's birthday with his students on June 14, 1885, 108 years after 
its official adoption by Congress.
  Thus began his life's work to create a National Flag Day. He wrote 
articles for magazines and newspapers. He gave lectures and wrote a 
book on the flag's importance. Soon, schools caught on, and more than 
100,000 children participated in an Illinois celebration in 1894. 
Eventually, Dr. Cigrand moved to Batavia, Illinois, opened a dental 
practice and remained passionate in his efforts.
  Finally, in 1916, President Wilson called for a nationwide 
observance. Seventeen years after Dr. Cigrand's 1932 passing, President 
Truman signed a law cementing June 14 as National Flag Day.
  This 14th of June, the 14th Congressional District of Illinois 
celebrates Dr. Cigrand's dedication to our Nation's symbol, which gives 
hope and moves hearts throughout the world.

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