LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating June 14, 2016, as Flag Day

WHEREAS, The American Flag, symbol of the Republic for 240 years, has
undergone many changes over its history; the current 50-star version was
raised for the first time officially at 12:01 a.m., July 4, 1960, at
Fort McHenry National Monument in Baltimore, Maryland, heralding the
admission of our 50th state, Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, The first colonial flag to represent all the colonies is
believed to have been raised on Prospect Hill in Boston at the Battle of
Bunker Hill; this flag, "the Continental Colors" or "the Great Union
flag", bore the cross of the British flag in the upper left corner with
13 alternating red and white stripes extending horizontally; and
WHEREAS, The "Stars and Stripes" originated as the result of a resol-
ution offered by the Marine Committee of the second Continental Congress
at Philadelphia, and adopted on June 14, 1777; it read as follows:
"RESOLVED: that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes,
alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a
blue field, representing a new constellation"; and
WHEREAS, The Great State of New York has a unique connection to the
American Flag because it was flown for the first time on August 3, 1777,
at Fort Stanwix, in the present-day City of Rome; and "Old Glory" was
first flown "under fire" three days later, on August 6, 1777, at the
Battle of Oriskany; that battle being a decisive victory for the Ameri-
can Revolutionaries, stopping the British occupation of the New York
Colony in an attempt to divide the Union; and
WHEREAS, The American Flag has had many charming legends attached to
it over the years, including the story that the first flag was sewn by
Mrs. Betsy Ross in June, 1776, at the request of a committee composed
of George Washington, Robert Morris and George Ross; this story was
first made public in 1870, by a grandson of Mrs. Ross; in addition, it
is reputed that the flag was designed by Francis Hopkinson, but when he
attempted to have Congress remunerate him for his services in 1781, they
refused; and, it is also said that the flag was first called "Old Glory"
by William Driver, a sea captain from Salem, Massachusetts, who raised
the flag on his brig, the "Charles Doggett", in 1824; and
WHEREAS, Wherever and whenever it is displayed, the first requirement
for flying the flag is that it be flown with respect; it should only be
flown in good weather, on all holidays and special occasions, and on
official buildings such as schools when they are in session, post
offices, courthouses and the like; it should generally be flown from
sunrise to sunset and at full staff; if it is displayed at night, it
should be properly illuminated; and, on Memorial Day it should be flown
at half staff until noon and then at full staff; and
WHEREAS, The flag of the United States has inspired us in battle,
reassured us in times of peace, and comforted us at moments of great
national grief; and
WHEREAS, The flag of the United States continues to serve as a resil-
ient national symbol which reflects upon the solidarity of our nation,
as it focuses on freedom, equality, and justice as uniting factors for
all citizens; and
WHEREAS, Millions of children pledge their allegiance to the flag
every day to celebrate the opportunities that this country brings to
them, while recognizing the sacrifices that have been made to perpetuate
their freedom; and
WHEREAS, Flag Day was first celebrated in 1877, the centennial of the
U.S. flag's existence; and

WHEREAS, Flag Day was officially established by a proclamation of
President Woodrow Wilson on May 30, 1916; while Flag Day was celebrated
in various communities after Wilson's proclamation, it was not until
August 3, 1949, that President Harry S. Truman signed an Act of Congress
designating June 14th each year as Flag Day; and
WHEREAS, In the words of President Wilson, "This flag which we honor
and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity, our power, our
thought, and purpose as a nation. It has no other character than that
which we give it from generation to generation. The choices are ours.";
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
joyously commemorate Flag Day, June 14, 2016, fully confident that such
commemoration clearly illustrates the eminence and importance of the
American Flag.