WHEREAS, September 11, 2001, will forever be one of the darkest days in the history of the United States; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 3,000 people, including citizens of over 90 nations, died as a direct result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York, New York; the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia; and in Somerset County, Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, The first responders who served heroically at Ground Zero in the City of New York paid a heavy toll, with over 400 fire, police, and rescue members making the ultimate sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, All four commercial airline flights hijacked on 9/11 were bound for California; and

WHEREAS, Over 50 Californians lost their lives on 9/11; and

WHEREAS, The 9/11 Remembrance Flag was designed by a Virginian on September 20, 2001, to foster the establishment of a national symbol of remembrance that honors and remembers the victims, heroic first responders, and all who were affected by the events of September 11, 2001; and

WHEREAS, Symbols of the 9/11 Remembrance Flag are represented as follows:

An Old Glory Blue Background symbolizing all Americans united together for freedom;

One White Star symbolizing all who live and died for freedom;

Five White Bars symbolizing the Pentagon and the organized protection of our freedom;

One Top Old Glory Red Stripe symbolizing the bloodshed of the people who perished at the Pentagon and the crew and passengers killed on American Airlines Flight 77;

Two Broad Old Glory Red Stripes symbolizing the Twin Towers and the bloodshed of the people who perished at the World Trade Center and on American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175;

One Bottom Old Glory Red Stripe symbolizing the bloodshed of the crew and passengers who perished on United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania;

Three White Stripes symbolizing the rescue workers, firefighters, police officers, Port Authority employees, and others who worked tirelessly during and after the terrorist attacks; and

WHEREAS, On November 12, 2001, the 9/11 Remembrance Flag was officially adopted by the Virginia Historical Society as part of a special exhibition in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution to commemorate the events of 9/11; and

WHEREAS, The design of the 9/11 Remembrance Flag adheres to the five principles of Good Flag Design defined by the North American Vexillological Association; and

WHEREAS, In 2018, the Virginia General Assembly voted unanimously to add the 9/11 Remembrance Flag to the Code of Virginia as Virginias official flag of remembrance of the events of September 11, 2001 making it our nations first codified 9/11 remembrance flag; and

WHEREAS, The 9/11 Remembrance Flag has also been adopted by the legislatures of Oklahoma and Delaware, and has flown or been displayed on 9/11 and for Patriot Day lessons in all 50 states, including at numerous schools and civic institutions in California, and in thousands of locations across the United States; and

WHEREAS, Since the 21st anniversary of 9/11, the 9/11 Remembrance Flag has served a prominent role in the Azusa Rotary Clubs annual 9/11 Field of Glory U.S. Flag Display Event; and

WHEREAS, Over 7,000 members of the Armed Forces of the United States, including many Californians, have made the ultimate sacrifice in the Global War on Terrorism since September 11, 2001; and

WHEREAS, The aftermath of 9/11 cleanup activities continues to take a toll on first responders, including over 3,000 first responders who have perished due to 9/11-related illness since the attacks; and

WHEREAS, The symbols of 9/11 serve as a meaningful educational tool and a unifying emblem of patriotism and remembrance; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 100,000,000 Americans, including approximately 10,000,000 Californians, have been born since September 11, 2001, or were too young to remember the events that occurred on that day; and

WHEREAS, The 9/11 Remembrance Flag memorializes the courageous and ongoing response of all Americans to threats against our freedom; and

WHEREAS, The 9/11 Remembrance Flag is a symbol of our states concern and commitment to remembering all of the lives lost as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the chief administrator of each public building or facility owned by the state, a county, or a municipality is encouraged to display the 9/11 Remembrance Flag on September 11 of each year and to prescribe procedures necessary for its display; and be it further

Resolved, That any public official or chief administrator of a public building or facility may accept a donation of one or more 9/11 Remembrance Flags for the purpose of display at a public building or facility owned by the state, a county, or a municipality; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution. .

Date of Hearing: September 3, 2025

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES

Blanca Pacheco, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:HR 68 (

Author:Blanca Rubio) – As Introduced Ver:August 28, 2025

SUBJECT: The 9/11 Remembrance Flag.

SUMMARY: Recognizes the 9/11 Remembrance Flag as a symbol of our state’s concern and commitment to remembering all of the lives lost as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; and, encourages each public building or facility owned by the state, a county, or a municipality to display the 9/11 Remembrance Flag on September 11 of each year. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. September 11, 2001, will forever be one of the darkest days in the history of the United States. Nearly 3,000 people, including citizens of over 90 nations, died as a direct result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York, New York; the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia; and in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
2. All four commercial airline flights hijacked on 9/11 were bound for California. Over 50 Californians lost their lives on 9/11.
3. The 9/11 Remembrance Flag was designed by a Virginian on September 20, 2001, to foster the establishment of a national symbol of remembrance that honors and remembers the victims, heroic first responders, and all who were affected by the events of September 11, 2001.
4. On November 12, 2001, the 9/11 Remembrance Flag was officially adopted by the Virginia Historical Society as part of a special exhibition in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution to commemorate the events of 9/11.
5. The design of the 9/11 Remembrance Flag adheres to the five principles of “Good Flag Design” defined by the North American Vexillological Association.
6. The 9/11 Remembrance Flag has also been adopted by the legislatures of Oklahoma and Delaware, and has flown or been displayed on 9/11 and for Patriot Day lessons in all 50 states, including at numerous schools and civic institutions in California, and in thousands of locations across the United States.
7. The symbols of 9/11 serve as a meaningful educational tool and a unifying emblem of patriotism and remembrance. The 9/11 Remembrance Flag memorializes the courageous and ongoing response of all Americans to threats against our freedom.

FISCAL EFFECT: This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800