TRENTON – Legislation Assembly members Nelson Albano, Connie Wagner and Matt Milam sponsored to require any United States or New Jersey state flag purchased with state funds be manufactured in the United States has been advanced by a Senate panel.
The bill passed the Assembly 78-0 in November. It was released Thursday, Feb. 26 by the Senate State Government Committee.
“It makes absolutely no sense to allow even one dime of the public’s money to be spent on an American flag made anywhere but in America,” said Albano (D-1st) in a release. “It is bad enough that our state and nation’s manufacturing bases have largely evaporated as jobs were shipped elsewhere. Buying the most-recognized symbol of our nation from overseas just adds insult to injury.”
The lawmakers said the measure (A-1784) is needed to send the strong message that using taxpayer funds to purchase flags made overseas is an insult to hard-working American families.
Under federal law, every flag sold in the United States must clearly identify its country of origin, according to the release.
According to the Flag Manufacturers Association of America, four domestic flag producers meet the group’s “Made in the USA” requirements, including Annin & Co. of Bergen County.
“The flags of our country and our state represent more than two centuries of shared sacrifice and the promises of freedom and liberty,” said Milam (D-1st) “Allowing public funds to finance corporations that produce flags overseas is a smack in the face of everyone who takespride in New Jersey and our nation.”
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
