[Deschler-Brown Precedents, Volume 17, Chapters 34 - 40]
[Ch. 36. Ceremonies and Awards]
[Â§ 8. âFlag Day; Pause for Pledge Commemoration]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[Page 179-184]
 
                               CHAPTER 36
 
                         Ceremonies and Awards
 
Sec. 8. --Flag Day; Pause for Pledge Commemoration

    The 14th day of June of each year is designated by statute as 
``Flag Day.''(1) On June 2, 1949, the House agreed to House 
Joint Resolution 170(2) which designated each June 14 as 
Flag Day.
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 1. 36 USC Sec. 110.
 2. See 95 Cong. Rec. 7166, 81st Cong. 1st 
        Sess.                          -------------------
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Pause for the Pledge Commemoration

Sec. 8.1 Although clause 1, paragraph 3 of Rule XXIV(1) 
    requires the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag to be led immediately 
    after the Speaker's approval of the Journal each day, the House 
    may, by unanimous consent, permit a second Pledge of Allegiance at 
    a subsequent time.
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 1. Now Rule XIV clause 1, House Rules and Manual Sec. 869 (2007).
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    On June 14, 1995,(2) the following proceedings took 
place:
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 2. 141 Cong. Rec. 15964, 104th Cong. 1st Sess.
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                              PAUSE FOR THE PLEDGE

        (Mr. CARDIN asked and was given permission to address the House 
    for 1 minute.)
        Mr. [Benjamin L.] CARDIN [of Maryland].(3) Mr. 
    Speaker, I take this

[[Page 180]]

    time, and at the permission of the Speaker, to lead the House in 
    the pledge of allegiance at this time of the day, and let me 
    explain why, if I might.
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 3. Parliamentarian's Note: This recognition was granted to Rep. 
        Cardin, in whose district the National Anthem originated, 
        despite the fact that it was nearly 7:20 p.m.
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        Mr. Speaker, as you are well aware, today is Flag Day and this 
    week is National Flag Week. Each year the National Flag Day 
    Foundation, located in my district, participates in the Pause for 
    the Pledge at Fort McHenry, the birthplace of the Star Spangled 
    Banner at 7 o'clock in the evening on June 14th.
        The National Flag Day Foundation encourages all Americans to 
    join in the 7 o'clock Pause for the Pledge and this grassroots 
    concept of national unity started in Baltimore in 1980. And I might 
    point out that Presidents have joined in this pause.
        Due to the voting of the House today, I am unable to be at Fort 
    McHenry to participate in the ceremony. Therefore, I would request 
    that the Members of the House join me and their fellow citizens in 
    a Pause for the Pledge. If I could ask everyone to please rise and 
    to face the flag.                          -------------------

                              PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

        The CHAIRMAN.(4) Without objection, the gentleman 
    from Maryland [Mr. Cardin] will lead the House in the Pledge of 
    Allegiance to the flag on this very special occasion.
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 4. Bill Emerson (MO).
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        There was no objection.
        Mr. Cardin led the Pledge of Allegiance as follows:
        I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of 
    America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under 
    God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Recess to Observe Flag Day

Sec. 8.2 The Speaker was authorized to declare a recess for Flag Day so 
    that the House might observe Flag Day with appropriate ceremonies.

    On May 25, 1967,(1) the Speaker appointed an informal 
committee to make arrangements for an appropriate Flag Day program. The 
proceedings occurred as follows:
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 1. 113 Cong. Rec. 14058, 90th Cong. 1st Sess.
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         FLAG DAY -- AUTHORITY FOR SPEAKER TO DECLARE A RECESS ON JUNE 
                                    14, 1967

        Mr. [Carl] ALBERT [of Oklahoma]. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
    consent to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend 
    my remarks.
        The SPEAKER.(2) Is there objection to the request of 
    the gentleman from Oklahoma?
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 2. John W. McCormack (MA).
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        There was no objection.
        Mr. ALBERT. Mr. Speaker, June 14 will mark the 190th 
    anniversary of Flag Day. On Saturday, June 14, 1777, the 
    Continental Congress adopted a resolution providing:

            That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen 
        stripes, alternate red and white: That the Union be thirteen 
        stars, white in a blue field, representing a new 
        constellation.(3)
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 3. See Journals of the Continental Congress, Vol. VIII, p. 464.

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[[Page 181]]

        During the ensuing 189 years, that blue field has been 
    buttressed by 37 additional stars and the American flag has truly 
    become the symbol of liberty.
        During the war-torn year of 1917, President Wilson issued the 
    first Presidential proclamation calling upon the entire Nation to 
    hold appropriate ceremonies on June 14 to honor our flag. For many 
    years our now deceased colleague, Louis C. Rabaut, provided the 
    inspiration and impetus for Flag Day ceremonies in this Chamber.
        In these troubled days, I believe it important that this House, 
    on June 14, should again give honor to our stars and stripes and to 
    the principles our flag represents.
        Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it may be in order at 
    any time on Wednesday, June 14, 1967, for the Speaker to declare a 
    recess for the purpose of observing and commemorating Flag Day in 
    such manner as the Speaker may deem appropriate and proper.
        Mr. [M. G. (Gene)] SNYDER [of Kentucky]. Mr. Speaker, will the 
    gentleman yield to me?
        Mr. ALBERT. I yield to the gentleman.
        Mr. SNYDER. I appreciate the comments of the distinguished 
    gentleman, and I hope the gentleman will not think it is 
    presumptuous on my part to suggest to the leadership that a very 
    appropriate action on the part of the House on that day might be 
    the passage of one of the antiflag-desecration bills now pending 
    before Congress.
        Mr. ALBERT. I thank the gentleman for his suggestion, and I 
    suggest that he take it up with the appropriate committee.
        The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman 
    from Oklahoma [Mr. Albert]?
        There was no objection.
        The SPEAKER. The Chair may state for the information of the 
    Members of the House that after consultation with the distinguished 
    minority leader the Chair has informally designated the following 
    Members to constitute a committee to make the necessary 
    arrangements for appropriate exercises in accordance with the 
    unanimous consent agreement just adopted:
        The gentleman from Texas [Mr. Brooks], the gentleman from 
    Alabama [Mr. Nichols], the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Roudebush], 
    and the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Hall].

    On June 12, 1967,(4) a display of historical American 
flags in Statuary Hall, arranged in connection with the observance of 
Flag Day by the House, was brought to the attention of the House by the 
chairman of the informal committee to plan ceremonies appropriate to 
the occasion. The proceedings were as follows:
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 4. See 113 Cong. Rec. 15484, 90th Cong. 1st Sess.
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             DISPLAY IN STATUARY HALL OF HISTORICAL AMERICAN FLAGS

        Mr. [Jack] BROOKS [of Texas]. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
    consent to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend 
    my remarks.
        The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman 
    from Texas?
        There was no objection.

[[Page 182]]

        Mr. Speaker, in conjunction with the celebration of Flag Week, 
    we have on display in Statuary Hall a grouping of historical 
    American flags. The 46 flags which are now on display have been 
    brought here through the courtesy of our colleague, George A. 
    Goodling, of Pennsylvania.
        These flags trace the history of our Nation from 1600 to the 
    present. They include all of our official flags, numerous flags of 
    liberty which appeared in our country before the Revolution, and 
    also some original Army and Navy standards. The Hanover, Pa., 
    Historical Society Patriotic Order of the Sons of America prepared 
    and planned the exhibit. Mr. Wilford C. Clausen, of Hanover, 
    established the grouping.
        I urge all my colleagues to take the opportunity to visit this 
    interesting exhibit which is part of our effort to honor our flag.

Flag Day on Saturday; Mid-week Observance

Sec. 8.3 Where Flag Day fell on a Saturday, the House designated the 
    preceding Thursday as the date for its observance.

    On May 28, 1969,(1) the Speaker (2) was 
authorized to declare a recess, subject to the call of the Chair, for 
the purpose of commemorating Flag Day in the House Chamber:
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 1. 115 Cong. Rec. 14161, 91st Cong. 1st Sess. See Sec. 8.4, infra, for 
        the ceremonies.
 2. John W. McCormack (MA).
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                              FLAG DAY CEREMONIES

        (Mr. ALBERT asked and was given permission to address the House 
    for 1 minute.)
        Mr. [Carl] ALBERT [of Oklahoma]. Mr. Speaker, the 192d 
    anniversary of Flag Day will be celebrated on Saturday, June 14, 
    1969. . . .
        Mr. Speaker, because I believe it important that the House of 
    Representatives continue this tradition, to again give honor to our 
    Stars and Stripes and to the principles which our flag symbolizes, 
    I ask unanimous consent that it may be in order at any time on 
    Thursday, June 12, 1969, for the Speaker to declare a recess for 
    the purpose of observing and commemorating Flag Day in such manner 
    as the Speaker may deem appropriate.
        The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman 
    from Oklahoma?
        There was no objection.
        The SPEAKER. The Chair may state for the information of the 
    Members of the House that after consultation with the distinguished 
    minority leader the Chair has informally designated the following 
    Members to constitute a committee to make the necessary 
    arrangements for appropriate ceremonies in accordance with the 
    unanimous-consent agreement just adopted: The gentleman from Texas, 
    Mr. Brooks; the gentleman from Alabama, Mr. Nichols; the gentleman 
    from Indiana, Mr. Roudebush; and the gentleman from Missouri, Mr. 
    Hall.

Flag Day Ceremonies

Sec. 8.4 The House stood in recess to commemorate Flag Day.

[[Page 183]]

    On June 12, 1969,(1) the House conducted ceremonies to 
honor the flag. Following the ceremonies on the floor of the House, the 
Speaker expressed thanks, on behalf of all Members of the House, to the 
ad hoc committee which made the arrangements for the celebration. The 
Majority Leader obtained permission for the printing in the Record of 
ceremonies held during the recess and for all Members to revise and 
extend remarks on Flag Day.
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 1. 115 Cong. Rec. 15745-51, 91st Cong. 1st Sess.
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                                    FLAG DAY

        During the recess the following proceedings took place in honor 
    of the United States Flag, the Speaker of the House of 
    Representatives presiding:

            Flag Day of U.S. House of Representatives, June 12, 1969

        The United States Marine Band, directed by First Lieutenant 
    Jack T. Kline, and the United States Air Force ``Singing 
    Sergeants,'' entered the door to the left of the Speaker and took 
    the positions assigned to them.
        The honored guests, officers, and men of the First Cavalry 
    Division (Airmobile), entered the door to the right of the Speaker 
    and took the positions assigned to them.
        The Air Force ``Singing Sergeants,'' directed by Capt. Robert 
    B. Kuzminski, presented Prayer for our Country.
        The Doorkeeper (Honorable William M. Miller) announced The Flag 
    of the United States.
        [Applause, the Members rising.]
        The Marine Band played The Stars and Stripes Forever.
        The Flag was carried into the Chamber by Colorbearer and a 
    guard from each of the branches of the Armed Forces[.] . . .
        The Color Guard saluted the Speaker, faced about, and saluted 
    the House.
        The Flag was posted and the Members were seated.
        Mr. [Jack] BROOKS of Texas, accompanied by the Honorable W. Pat 
    Jennings, Clerk of the House of Representatives, took his place at 
    the Speaker's rostrum.
        The SPEAKER.(2) The Chair recognizes the 
    distinguished gentleman from Texas, Mr. Brooks.
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 2. John W. McCormack (MA).
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        Mr. BROOKS. Mr. Speaker, the distinguished gentleman from 
    Missouri, Mr. Hall, will now lead the Members and our guests in the 
    Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
        The Honorable Durward Hall led the Members and guests in the 
    Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
        Mr. BROOKS. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to express 
    my appreciation to the other members of your Flag Day Committee, 
    the Honorable Bill Nichols of Alabama, the Honorable Durward Hall 
    of Missouri, and the Honorable Richard Roudebush of Indiana, for 
    their hard work and dedicated efforts. . . .
        Mr. BROOKS. Mr. Speaker, Flag Day, 1969, is a day for all 
    Americans to reaffirm their commitment to the principles of 
    democracy, liberty, and human dignity. . . .
        May our Flag continue to strike a responsive chord in the 
    hearts of free

[[Page 184]]

    men everywhere and offer hope, opportunity and promise to those who 
    strive for the highest goals.
        [Applause.]
        Mr. BROOKS. The Members and guests will please rise to join 
    with the ``Singing Sergeants,'' accompanied by the Marine Band, in 
    singing the National Anthem. Will everyone please remain standing 
    while the Color are retired from the Chamber?
        The Members rose and sang The National Anthem, accompanied by 
    the Marine Band and the Air Force ``Singing Sergeants.''
        The Colors were retired from the Chamber, the Marine Band 
    playing The National Emblem March.
        The Air Force ``Singing Sergeants'' retired from the Chamber, 
    the Marine Band playing the Armed Forces Medley.
        The Marine Band retired from the Chamber. . . .
        At 12 o'clock and 32 minutes p.m., the proceedings in honor of 
    the United States Flag were 
    concluded.                          -------------------

                                  AFTER RECESS

        The recess having expired, the House was called to order by the 
    Speaker at 12 o'clock and 33 minutes p.m.
        The SPEAKER. The Chair, on behalf of the House, desires to 
    express our thanks to the chairman and the members of the committee 
    for arranging, preparing and conducting the splendid exercises 
    today, and also to express the thanks of the House to all who 
    participated in the exercises. . . 
    .                          -------------------

             PERMISSION TO PRINT PROCEEDINGS HAD DURING THE RECESS

        Mr. ALBERT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the 
    proceedings had during the recess be printed in the Record.
        The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman 
    from Oklahoma?
        There was no objection.