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EXECUTIVE ORDER No.2006 – 9 RECOGNIZING FLAG DAY AND FLAG MONTH
WHEREAS, Section 1 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 vests the executive power of the State of Michigan in the Governor;
WHEREAS, on June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted a resolution providing that the “flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field”;
WHEREAS, since that time, those stars and stripes have symbolized hope and pride—-inspiring in battle, reassuring in times of peace, and comforting during times of grief;
WHEREAS, the flag of the United States is a symbol of national unity that represents the values of liberty, justice, and equality upon which our Republic was founded;
WHEREAS, for more than 200 years, Americans have proudly displayed the flag of the United States at homes, schools, businesses, and government facilities;
WHEREAS, to commemorate the adoption of our national flag, the United States Congress, by a joint resolution approved on August 3, 1949 (63 Stat. 492), designated June 14 of each year as Flag Day;
WHEREAS, under Section 1 of 1998 PA 460, MCL 2.91, June 14 to July 14 of each year is designated as the official flag month of this state;
WHEREAS, Flag Day and Flag Month provide an opportunity to pause and reflect on our flag’s rich history and meaning for Americans and people throughout the world;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Michigan Constitution of 1963, the laws of the State of Michigan, and the laws of the United States of America, order and proclaim:
1. State departments and agencies are directed to assure appropriate display of the flag of the United States on or near state buildings on Flag Day, Wednesday June 14, 2006, and throughout Flag Month, from Wednesday June 14, 2006 to Friday, July 14, 2006.
2. The People of the State of Michigan are urged to observe Flag Day and Flag Month by flying the flag of the United States from their homes and other suitable places, to honor America and celebrate our national heritage.
3. The handling and displaying the flag of the United States is encouraged according to federal law and the following guidelines established under Section 1 of 1998 PA 460, MCL 2.91:
a. The flag of the United States should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.
b. When flags of states, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the flag of the United States should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No other flag or pennant should be placed above the flag of the United States or to the United States flag's right.
c. When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they should be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. A flag of one nation should not be placed above the flag of another nation in time of peace.
d. When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the windowsill, balcony, or front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff. The flag should be hoisted out, union first, from the building.
e. When the flag of the United States is displayed either horizontally or vertically, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right and should be to the observer's left. When displayed in a window, the flag of the United States should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.
f. When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street and to the east in a north and south street.
g. When used on a speaker's platform, the flag, if displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker.
h. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States should be at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he or she faces the audience. Any other flag displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker or to the right of the audience.
i. The flag of the United States should form a distinctive feature of the ceremony of unveiling a public statue or monument, but the flag should not be used as the covering for the public statue or monument.
j. The flag of the United States, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.
This Order is effective upon filing.
Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of Michigan this 12th day of June, in the year of our Lord, two thousand and six.
JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM
GOVERNOR
BY THE GOVERNOR:
SECRETARY OF STATE
