R-2003-14 U.S/Texas flags fly continously as long as local citizens serve in various armed forces in our country

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~Ur1~ rnl~~~t~ \q --Le.- The American Legion (2.eA ~~ ~ - Hovey Bethea Powell Post 428 , P. O. Box 14 R ECE IVE La Porte, Texas 77572.00\41 Debra Feazelle City Manager La Porte, Texas APR 2 2003 April 23 2003 CITY MANAGER'S ' OFFICE Subject: Displaying the flags of our State and Nation 24 hours a day in honor of the men and women from our community who are on active duty in the United States Military Forces. Dear Ms. Feazelle; Per our conversation April 21, 2003. The City of La Porte, at the request of local Veterans, began this outstanding practice on Veterans Day, 1990, prior to the start of Desert Storm: Jan. 16, 1991. Authority to do this is found in Title 4, United States Code Chapter 1, Sec. 4 through 10. (See attached) Esp. Sec.. 6 (a) "----when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. " "Proper illumination" is interpreted as a "light specifically placed to illuminate the flag (preferred) or having a light source sufficient to illuminate the flag so it is recognizable as such by the casual observer." (underlining is mine) See American Legion attachment This could be from street lighting, parking lots, or spill over. One of our most common calls is to report that someone is "flying our flag at night. " We ask, "How do you know?" Most often they reply, "Because I saw it." Our answer to that is, "well then, it must have been properly illuminated. " And Sec. 6 (c) "The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all weather flag is displayed. " (underlining is mine) Time has dulled the memory of why we see the flags flying 24 hr. a day in our city. Proposal: To have City Council compose an official declaration to reaffirm that the City of La Porte will fly the United States and Texas flags at City Hall and all other public facilities continuously as long as local citizens are serving in the various Armed Services of - our country; and to urge all businesses and the general public to do the same. Please let me know if I should approach council direct. Thanks again for your support. .~~ William J. (Bill) White Commander (281-471-2867) ~~ Buford E. Leonard Adjutant f~c:.L, l