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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The United States adopted the Stars and Stripes as |
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its official flag on June 14, 1777, and each year, Americans |
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celebrate the anniversary of that momentous event as Flag Day; and |
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WHEREAS, Beginning in the late 19th century, proud citizens |
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contemplated setting aside a special time to reflect on the |
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significance of their beloved flag; in 1885, a Wisconsin public |
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school teacher arranged for his students to commemorate "Flag |
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Birthday" on June 14, and a kindergarten teacher in New York City |
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took up the cause four years later; the Betsy Ross House in |
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Philadelphia held Flag Day activities in 1891, and the National |
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Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of |
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Pennsylvania soon joined in honoring the flag on the anniversary of |
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its adoption; within the decade, Chicago hosted a general public |
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school observance in parks around the city for more than 300,000 |
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children; and |
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WHEREAS, President Woodrow Wilson established Flag Day by |
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proclamation in 1916, advising his fellow Americans to consider it |
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"a day upon which we should direct our minds with a special desire |
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of renewal to thoughts of the ideals and principles of which we have |
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sought to make our great Government the embodiment"; communities |
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around the country began to celebrate June 14 each year, and in |
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1949, President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress officially |
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designating June 14 as National Flag Day; and |
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WHEREAS, A powerful symbol of freedom and democracy, "Old |
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Glory" inspires patriotism in the hearts of all Americans, and this |
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special occasion provides an opportunity for residents of the Lone |
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Star State to solemnly reflect on the rich history of our nation and |
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its flag; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate Flag Day, June 14, 2020, and |
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encourage all Texans to display the American flag. |