RESOLUTION NO. 220487

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Recognizing June 14, 2022, as “National Flag Day” in the City of Kansas City, Missouri.

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WHEREAS, Flag Day commemorates the birth of the United States Flag, one in which this great Nation unites under, offering a time to reflect on the history and tradition behind it and all that the flag represents; and

WHEREAS, with the red symbolizing hardiness and valor, the white symbolizing purity and innocence, and the blue representing vigilance, perseverance and justice, the U.S. flag represents and symbolizes the convictions of the United States; and 

WHEREAS, President Harry S. Truman signed an Act of Congress in 1949 designating June 14 of each year as National Flag Day to honor our flag and to “rededicate ourselves to the ideals for which it stands”; and

WHEREAS, the first American Flag was accepted on June 14, 1777, when the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white,” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation,” to unify the Americans under one flag that signified what they were fighting for and what America continues to fight for; and

WHEREAS, this flag has changed over time, with a new star being added with each additional state who joined the union, the current one designed by a 17 year old in high school, Robert G. Heft, who completed a history project designing a flag with 50 stars. At the time of his creation the United States had only 48 states, yet he claimed he expected Alaska and Hawaii to join the union. His teacher told him he could raise his grade if the flag was accepted as the United States’ national flag. Heft sent his flag to his Congressman, then approved by President Eisenhower and adopted as the United States new national flag on July 4, 1960, earning Heft an A on his project; and

WHEREAS, citizens can celebrate Flag Day by flying their flags during the week of June 14, and Kansas City encourages its citizens to celebrate and honor National Flag Day; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council hereby recognize and observe June 14, 2021, as National Flag Day in Kansas City, Missouri; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be accepted by Representatives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in token of the appreciation of the Mayor and Council for many years of dedicated service and of their best wishes for all the years to come.

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