thedrifter
04-29-07, 05:24 PM
Bill would set one policy for lowering flags
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Apr 29, 2007 10:43:42 EDT
The House Judiciary Committee has approved a bill requiring federal agencies to obey state proclamations to lower the U.S. flag to half-staff for funerals and memorial services for combat veterans.
Sponsored by Rep Bart Stupak, D-Mich., the bill, HR 692, is named for Army Spc. Joseph P. Mick, who was killed in Iraq in July. When Michigan ordered flags lowered in the hometowns of service members for funeral services, some federal offices went along with the state edict, but others kept their flags fully raised.
Under Stupak’s bill, if a governor orders flags to be lowered, local offices of federal agencies would be required to comply.
Stupak introduced the bill in January after unsuccessfully trying to get President Bush to do something about changing federal rules. “I raised this issue by writing President Bush last year when the problem came to my attention,” Stupak said. “Sadly, since then, there have been yet more unfortunate instances in which federal facilities have not shown the proper respect for our fallen heroes. Those who make the ultimate sacrifice for our country deserve our nation’s ultimate respect.”
The bill passed the judiciary committee by a unanimous vote and is not expected to have any problems passing the full House. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman, is the sponsor of identical legislation in the Senate.
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm is supporting the effort. “The practice of lowering the flag for a fallen service member calls attention to the extraordinary service these young men and women provide to our nation,” she said in a statement. “This legislation will be a much needed step to ensure that we are all consistently honoring their sacrifices on behalf of the American people.”
Ellie
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Apr 29, 2007 10:43:42 EDT
The House Judiciary Committee has approved a bill requiring federal agencies to obey state proclamations to lower the U.S. flag to half-staff for funerals and memorial services for combat veterans.
Sponsored by Rep Bart Stupak, D-Mich., the bill, HR 692, is named for Army Spc. Joseph P. Mick, who was killed in Iraq in July. When Michigan ordered flags lowered in the hometowns of service members for funeral services, some federal offices went along with the state edict, but others kept their flags fully raised.
Under Stupak’s bill, if a governor orders flags to be lowered, local offices of federal agencies would be required to comply.
Stupak introduced the bill in January after unsuccessfully trying to get President Bush to do something about changing federal rules. “I raised this issue by writing President Bush last year when the problem came to my attention,” Stupak said. “Sadly, since then, there have been yet more unfortunate instances in which federal facilities have not shown the proper respect for our fallen heroes. Those who make the ultimate sacrifice for our country deserve our nation’s ultimate respect.”
The bill passed the judiciary committee by a unanimous vote and is not expected to have any problems passing the full House. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman, is the sponsor of identical legislation in the Senate.
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm is supporting the effort. “The practice of lowering the flag for a fallen service member calls attention to the extraordinary service these young men and women provide to our nation,” she said in a statement. “This legislation will be a much needed step to ensure that we are all consistently honoring their sacrifices on behalf of the American people.”
Ellie