FlagandBanner.com Discusses All-American Flag Acts and What It does for the Economy
Little Rock, AR (PRWEB) April 06, 2015 -- Since 2006, U.S. state legislatures have been introducing laws that require the purchase of American flags made 100% in the United States of America.
It’s believed that about $3.6 million dollars worth of American flags are imported every year, $3.3 million coming from China. On the federal level the Department of Defense and the federal government began requiring U.S. made flags to fly at all military and federal government buildings. These two entities alone will keep millions of dollars in the U.S. economy.
Kerry McCoy, owner and president of FlagandBanner.com, in their 40th year as a flag retailer and manufacturer said, “I am not usually in favor of government mandates but these new laws seem ethically appropriate.”
Individual states have been passing similar laws since 2006. Minnesota is the first state to have passed a stringent flag law; it went into effect January 1, 2008. Their law does not just require government or schools to purchase 100% U.S. made flags. Minnesota’s law bars anyone in the retail business of selling or offering to sell an American flag that was manufactured outside the U.S. This is the strictest flag law that has been passed, yet it was the first. The subsequent laws haven’t been quite as strict.
Most recently the Florida House passed the All-American Flag Act by a 110-2 vote on March 27, 2015. The law will go into effect January 1, 2016. It mimics the federal and military requirements of 100% made in USA if purchased by any entity using taxpayer funds.
When asked about the All-American Flag Act passed by Florida, the DOD and the federal government, Kerry McCoy stated, “It only makes sense that our country’s most iconic and representative symbol “The American Flag” should be made on our soil. I am not just saying that because my company makes U.S flags. Were I not in the flag business, I would still want my U.S. flag to be made here in the USA.”
Other states such as Arizona and Massachusetts require public schools and/or higher education institutions to display, in each classroom, an American flag that is at least two feet by three feet and made in the United States.
Tennessee requires all official U.S. and Tennessee state flags purchased under a state contract to be manufactured in the U.S.
New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania all passed similar U.S. only flag bills, but the bill(s) were never passed into law despite unanimous votes.
Even students have gotten in on the act. The Student Government at Eau Gallie High School in Florida, voted unanimously to pass the All-American Flag Act for their school.
In 2013, students in high school teacher Matthew Susin’s American government class read that the United States spent an estimated $4 million on American flags made in China, and asked “why”?
A high school discussion turned into a resolution written by Susin and developed by different organizations in the community, the motion was unanimously passed by student government.
“I love seeing our youth do something like this,” McCoy expressed, “I realize we live in a global economy but, when possible it is nice to buy your U.S. flag from American workers. Undoubtedly these students have championed a great cause but in addition, they have learned due process. Students in other states could take notice.”
Arkansas’ FlagandBanner.com is based in Little Rock, Ark., and has been in business since 1975. They have been selling flags, flagpoles, banners, pennants and home and garden décor online nationally since 1995 as FlagandBanner.com.
For more information, log on to FlagandBanner.com, become a fan on Facebook, or call one of their Flag Experts for answers to any and all questions about flags, banners, pennants and more at 1-800-445-0653.
Tammie McClure, FlagandBanner.com, http://www.flagandbanner.com, +1 501 375-7633 Ext: 117, [email protected]
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