Stupak Flag Bill Signed by President Bush

Legislation that will ensure that federal agencies lower their flags to half-staff in honor of fallen service members was signed by President George W. Bush Friday, June 29. The bill was sponsored by U.S. Representative Bart Stupak of Menominee and brings federal agencies into accordance with state governors' proclamations.

In Michigan, fallen service members are honored by lowering the flag to half-staff across the state.

"I am pleased that President Bush signed this legislation into law and recognized the importance of providing fallen troops with a uniform, consistent display of respect," Mr. Stupak said. "Military families who lose a loved one in Iraq or Afghanistan have made the greatest sacrifice. The least our government can do is ensure we honor the family's loss in a manner that is befitting of this profound loss."

The law's official name is the "Army Specialist Joseph P. Micks Federal Flag Code Amendment Act of 2007" and is named for Joseph P. Micks, a soldier from Rapid River, who was killed in Iraq in July 2006. After Mr. Micks was killed in Iraq, Mr. Stupak heard from members of the community that some federal facilities had lowered the flag in his honor, while others had not.

"This legislation will ensure consistency in how we honor fallen heroes," Mr. Stupak said, noting that the legislation is particularly important to rural areas.

"Rural America is disproportionately represented in the military," Mr. Stupak said. "Because rural military funeral processions often travel long distances through multiple communities, it is particularly important that there be a single, uniform policy for federal agencies to follow in lowering their flags in honor of fallen troops."

Mr. Stupak's legislation passed the U.S. House of Representative in May and the Senate June 14, before the President signed the bill into law June 29.

Mr. Stupak's Congressional District, Michigan's 1st, has more veterans than any other congressional district in the Michigan.