SCR 74: Flag Day.

WHEREAS, For more than two centuries, the American flag has been a banner of hope for generations of Americans and those seeking freedom around the world; and

WHEREAS, The flag is a symbol of a country that has grown from 13 colonies to a united nation of 50 sovereign states; a symbol of many units becoming one, true to our nations traditional motto, e pluribus unum, out of many, one; and

WHEREAS, The first flag of the United States was authorized by congressional resolution on June 14, 1777, resolving that it carry 13 stripes, the colors representing hardiness and valor (red) and purity and innocence (white), and that it contain a constellation of 13 white stars on a field of blue to represent justice, vigilance, and perseverance; and

WHEREAS, Since the first American flag, several congressional acts and presidential executive orders have altered the shape, design, and arrangement of the flag, and allowed for additional stars and stripes to reflect the admission of new states; and

WHEREAS, In 1794, Congress passed an act changing the American flag so that it contained 15 stripes and 15 stars; and

WHEREAS, In 1818, President Monroe signed legislation requiring that the American flag have 13 stripes and a star for each state in the union, with stars for newly added states applied to the flag on July 4 of the following year; and

WHEREAS, Flagmakers were able to use imaginative designs to accommodate new stars on the flag until 1912, when President Taft issued an executive order that established rows of stars as the standard design; and

WHEREAS, The 48-star American flag, represented by the traditional 13 stripes and six rows of eight stars, was the official flag from 1912 until 1959; and

WHEREAS, On May 30, 1916, President Wilson issued a proclamation calling for the first nationwide observance of Flag Day; and

WHEREAS, In 1949, President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating the 14th day of June every year as National Flag Day; and

WHEREAS, On January 3, 1959, Alaska was formally granted statehood and the 49-star American flag, represented by the traditional 13 stripes and seven rows of seven stars, became the official flag when it was first officially raised over Fort McHenry National Historic Site in Baltimore, Maryland on July 4, 1959; and

WHEREAS, President Eisenhower issued Executive Order No. 10834 establishing the design of the new 50-star flag on August 21, 1959, the same day that Hawaii became the 50th state; and

WHEREAS, The 50-star flag, the current Stars and Stripes, became the official American flag on July 4, 1960, with a design of 13 stripes and 50 stars, represented by five rows of six stars alternating with four rows of five stars; and

WHEREAS, Despite the numerous designs of the American flag, they have all stood for the United States Constitution, the American way of life, our collective past achievements, and our dreams for the future; and

WHEREAS, The United States Flag Code, as adopted by Congress, states, the flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing, and this is why we should give the flag our full respect; and

WHEREAS, Redlands Elementary School teacher Miss Mary Fackler is attributed with starting the tradition of saying the Pledge of Allegiance in schools when she had her students regularly recite the first iteration of the Pledge written by Francis Bellamy that read: I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation indivisible with Liberty and Justice for all.; and

WHEREAS, By Act of Congress, dated June 20, 1985, Public Law 99-54 was passed to recognize the pause for the Pledge of Allegiance as part of the celebration of National Flag Day throughout the nation; and

WHEREAS, Flag Day celebrates our nations symbol of unity, a representative democracy in a republic, and stands for our countrys devotion to freedom, the rule of law, and equal rights; and

WHEREAS, The American flag has been immortalized in song, including The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa, Youre a Grand Old Flag by George M. Cohan, and our national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, by Francis Scott Key; and

WHEREAS, Since the founding of our nation, the flag has held a unique place in the hearts of those brave men and women who have served in our nations Armed Forces, whereby in each of our nations wars examples may be found of soldiers offering their lives not only in defense of our nation, but also in honor of our flag and the principles it embodies; and

WHEREAS, In 2025, the 50-star American flag celebrates its 65th anniversary as the official Stars and Stripes, representing the longest period that any fixed flag design has been used; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes June 14, 2025, as Flag Day in California and encourages the citizens of the state to celebrate the symbol of our freedom and remember the hard work and sacrifices that so many made to ensure that freedom; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.