HouseH.R. 9522119th Congress
National Patriot Day Remembrance Flag Act
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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9522 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9522
To designate the Freedom Flag as the national symbol of remembrance for
September 11, 2001, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 29, 2026
Mr. McGuire (for himself and Mr. Garbarino) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To designate the Freedom Flag as the national symbol of remembrance for
September 11, 2001, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Patriot Day Remembrance
Flag Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) September 11, 2001, will forever be one of the darkest
days in the history of the United States.
(2) Nearly 3,000 people, including citizens of over 90
nations, died as a direct result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks
at the World Trade Center in New York, New York, the Pentagon
in Arlington County, Virginia, and in Somerset County,
Pennsylvania.
(3) The first responders who served heroically at Ground
Zero in the City of New York paid a heavy toll, with over 400
fire, police, and rescue members making the ultimate sacrifice.
(4) The Freedom Flag was designed by a Virginian on
September 20, 2001, to foster the establishment of a national
symbol of remembrance that honors and remembers the victims,
heroic first responders, and all who were affected by the
events of September 11, 2001.
(5) The meaning of the Freedom Flag is illustrated by the
colors and symbols of the flag, which are--
(A) an ``Old Glory'' blue background symbolizing
all Americans united together for freedom;
(B) one white star symbolizing all who live and
died for freedom;
(C) five white bars symbolizing the Pentagon and
the organized protection of our freedom;
(D) one top ``Old Glory'' red stripe symbolizing
the bloodshed of the people who perished at the
Pentagon and the crew and passengers killed on American
Airlines Flight 77;
(E) two broad ``Old Glory'' red stripes symbolizing
the Twin Towers and the bloodshed of the people who
perished at the World Trade Center and on American
Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175;
(F) one bottom ``Old Glory'' red stripe symbolizing
the bloodshed of the crew and passengers who perished
on United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania; and
(G) three white stripes symbolizing the rescue
workers, firefighters, police officers, Port Authority
employees, and others who worked tirelessly during and
after the terrorist attacks.
(6) On October 25, 2001, a flag maker sewed the first
Freedom Flag and unveiled the flag on December 16, 2001.
(7) On November 12, 2001, the Freedom Flag was officially
adopted by the Virginia Historical Society as part of a special
exhibition in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution to
commemorate the events of 9/11.
(8) The design of the 9/11 Remembrance Flag adheres to the
five principles of ``Good Flag Design'' defined by the North
American Vexillological Association.
(9) In 2018, the Virginia General Assembly voted
unanimously to add the 9/11 Remembrance Flag to the Code of
Virginia as Virginia's official flag of remembrance of the
events of September 11, 2001, making it our nation's first
codified 9/11 remembrance flag when it was signed into law on
March 30, 2018.
(10) The 9/11 Remembrance Flag has also been adopted by the
legislatures of Oklahoma (May 16, 2022) and Delaware (Sept. 8,
2022), and has flown or been displayed on 9/11 and for Patriot
Day lessons in all 50 states, including at thousands of
schools, fire/rescue stations, police stations, and civic
institutions.
(11) Over 7,000 members of the Armed Forces of the United
States have made the ultimate sacrifice in the Global War on
Terrorism since September 11, 2001.
(12) The aftermath of 9/11 cleanup activities continues to
take a toll on first responders, including over 3,000 who have
perished due to 9/11-related illness since the attacks.
(13) The symbols of the Freedom Flag serve as a meaningful
educational tool and a unifying emblem of patriotism and
remembrance.
(14) Nearly 100,000,000 Americans have been born since
September 11, 2001, or were too young to remember the events
that occurred on that day.
(15) The Freedom Flag memorializes the courageous and
ongoing response of all Americans to threats against our
freedom.
(16) The Freedom Flag is a symbol of our Nation's concern
and commitment to remembering all of the lives lost as a result
of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
SEC. 3. FREEDOM FLAG.
(a) In General.--Chapter 9 of title 36, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 905. Freedom Flag
``(a) In General.--The Freedom Flag is designated as the national
symbol of remembrance for September 11, 2001, and to support
educational efforts of teaching future generations about the tragic
events and many lives lost on such date, including programming through
the 9/11 Memorial Museum and the Pentagon Memorial Foundation.
``(b) Required Display.--The Freedom Flag shall be displayed each
year on Patriot Day, from September 11 through the end of September
at--
``(1) the Capitol;
``(2) the White House;
``(3) each national cemetery;
``(4) each major military installation, as designated by
the Secretary of Defense;
``(5) the building containing the official office of--
``(A) the Secretary of State;
``(B) the Secretary of Defense; and
``(C) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and
``(6) each United States Postal Service post office.
``(c) Display Visible to Public.--The Freedom Flag shall be
displayed pursuant to subsection (b) in a manner designed to ensure
visibility to the public.
``(d) Order of Precedence.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, the Freedom Flag shall follow the POW/MIA Flag in any order of
precedence.
``(e) Flag Materials.--The disposal and retirement of the Freedom
Flag shall comply with Veterans Affairs retirement and flag disposal
practices.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 9 of title 36,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``905. Freedom Flag.''.
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