Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 853

STATE OF DELAWARE

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

DOVER

PROCLAMATION

Whereas, since the Continental Congress, on June 14, 1777, officially adopted a Flag with thirteen alternate stripes of red and white, and a field of blue with one star for each state, to be our national emblem, the Stars and Stripes have been a symbol of our unity and determination to remain free; and

Whereas, to people the world over, the American Flag is an emblem of hope for all who are less free and more impoverished than we are; and

Whereas, the first star of the Flag represents Delaware, indicating our position as "The First State", and in early September 1777, this banner was first unfurled in land battle at Cooch's Bridge, Delaware; and

Whereas, in the succeeding years, thousands of Delawareans have fought, and many perished, to keep this symbol of freedom and strength flying high; and

Whereas, the annual celebration of National Flag Week affords us an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the assurance that our Flag will wave forever as the emblem of "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Now, therefore, I, Russell W. Peterson, Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby proclaim Saturday, June 14, 1969, as

NATIONAL FLAG DAY and the week of June 8 through 14, 1969, as

NATIONAL FLAG WEEK

in Delaware and urge all residents of "The First State" to properly display the American Flag daily during National Flag Week.

This display of our national emblem, and the staging of appropriate ceremonies, gives visible evidence of our loyalty to this Republic and to all that "old Glory" represents.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, Russell W. Peterson, Governor of the State of Delaware, have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the said State to be hereunto affixed at Dover this 2nd day of June in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and sixty-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the one hundred and ninety-third.

(GREAT SEAL)

RUSSELL W. PETERSON, Governor

Attest: EUGENE BUNTING, Secretary of State