congressional_record: CREC-1998-11-12-pt1-PgE2314-4
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| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CREC-1998-11-12-pt1-PgE2314-4 | 1998-11-12 | 105 | 2 | 144 | ADDING MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., HOLIDAY TO LIST OF DAYS ON WHICH FLAG SHOULD ESPECIALLY BE DISPLAYED | HOUSE | EXTENSIONS | ALLOTHER | E2314 | E2315 | [{"name": "Ken Bentsen", "role": "speaking"}] | [{"congress": "105", "type": "HR", "number": "3216"}] | 144 Cong. Rec. E2314 | Congressional Record, Volume 144 Issue 152 (Thursday, November 12, 1998) [Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 152 (Thursday, November 12, 1998)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E2314-E2315] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ADDING MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., HOLIDAY TO LIST OF DAYS ON WHICH FLAG SHOULD ESPECIALLY BE DISPLAYED ______ HON. KEN BENTSEN of texas in the house of representatives Thursday, November 12, 1998 Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, this legislation corrects an oversight that occurred in the 98th Congress during the establishment of the federal holiday celebrating the birth of our Nation's greatest civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is customary during the establishment of an official federal holiday to signify the importance of the date through its recognition in the U.S. Flag Code. The U.S. Flag Code encourages all Americans to remember the significance of each federal holiday through the display of our Nation's banner. The Flag Code reminds people that on certain days every year, displaying the flag will show respect for the people and events that have shaped our great Nation. I believe the American people should be afforded the opportunity to pay their respects to the memory of Dr. King and all his marvelous achievements by displaying our flag on his birthday. Dr. King is the only American besides George Washington to have a national [[Page E2315]] holiday designated for his birthday. However, of the ten permanent federal holidays, only The King Birthday lacks the notation in the U.S. Flag Code, and it is appropriate to correct this omission. I would also like to offer my appreciation to Mr. Charles Spain, a resident of Houston and president of the North American Vexillological Association, which studies flags. Mr. Spain brought this very important matter to my attention, and I am grateful for his diligence and assistance in helping my office to correct this error. His effort demonstrates that all citizens have the ability to contact Congress and make important contributions to the legislative process. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the unanimous consent request for the House to take up and pass H.R. 3216, legislation I introduced to amend the Act commonly known as the United States Flag Code and add the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday to the list of days on which the flag should especially be displayed. I want to thank the Chairman of the Rules Committee for making this request. While I am disappointed the Senate will not be able to consider this important legislation during the 105th Congress, I am very pleased the House will pass the legislation this evening and send a strong signal that this legislation will be enacted in the 106th Congress. I urge my colleagues to support this measure. Let us continue to honor the legacy of Dr. King and move forward with his dream. ____________________ |