PRINTER'S NO. 1751
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
163
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY WEBSTER, MADDEN AND SANCHEZ, JUNE 27, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, JUNE 27, 2023
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Establishing the Pennsylvania State Flag Commission to study the
history of the State flag of the Commonwealth, solicit design
submissions for a new State flag and recommend changes to the
State flag.
WHEREAS, The act of June 13, 1907 (P.L.560, No.373), entitled
"An act designating the official flag of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, and describing the same; providing for the
carrying of such flag by the regiments of the National Guard of
Pennsylvania; authorizing the Secretary of the Commonwealth to
provide, and have deposited in the office of Secretary of the
Commonwealth, a model of said flag, and making an appropriation
therefor," designates the official flag of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania and provides for the design of the flag; and
WHEREAS, The State flag is required to have a blue
background, using the same blue found in the United States flag,
with the Pennsylvania State coat of arms in the center and edges
trimmed with a fringe of knotted yellow silk; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is one of 20 states with a flag that
has a seal on a blue background, making it indistinguishable
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from other state flags; and
WHEREAS, The North American Vexillological Association
outlined five principles of a good flag, which are to:
(1) keep it simple;
(2) use meaningful symbolism;
(3) use two or three basic colors;
(4) avoid lettering or seals; and
(5) be distinctive or be related;
and
WHEREAS, The State flag of the Commonwealth violates every
single good flag principle; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania deserves a State flag that is
recognizable and stands out from other states while utilizing
good flag principles; therefore be it
RESOLVED (the Senate concurring), That the General Assembly
establish the Pennsylvania State Flag Commission to study the
history of the State flag of the Commonwealth, solicit design
submissions for a new State flag and recommend changes to the
State flag; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the commission consist of the following
members:
(1) one member appointed by the Majority Leader of the
Senate;
(2) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the
Senate;
(3) one member appointed by the Majority Leader of the
House of Representatives;
(4) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the
House of Representatives;
(5) one representative from the Pennsylvania Council on
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the Arts;
(6) one representative from the North American
Vexillological Association who, at the time of the formation
of the commission, resides in this Commonwealth; and
(7) three members of the public appointed by the
Governor;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That at its first meeting, the commission elect one
member to serve as the chairperson of the commission; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the commission have the authority to add
additional members to the commission and create subgroups within
the commission as it sees fit; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the commission seek comments and submissions
from the public on recommendations for a new State flag; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the commission choose a flag design, or flag
designs, to recommend to the General Assembly to become the new
State flag; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the members of the commission serve without
compensation but be reimbursed for all necessary and reasonable
expenses incurred in the performance of their duties; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That reasonable expenses incurred by the commission
be equally divided between the Senate and the House of
Representatives; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the approval of the President pro tempore of
the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives be
required to preauthorize all proposed actions of the commission
that will entail the expenditure of State funds and approve all
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expenditures, including expense reimbursement requests of
commission members, prior to payment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That nothing in this concurrent resolution preclude
the commission from consulting or seeking the expertise of any
individual, nonprofit entity, Commonwealth agency or office or
legislative committee of the General Assembly to aid with the
selection of a new State flag; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the commission issue a final report with its
findings and recommendations to the General Assembly within 12
months of the adoption of this resolution.
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