Pappas’s National POW/MIA Flag Act Signed Into Law By President Trump
Washington, DC - Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) released the following statement after legislation he introduced in the House, The National POW/MIA Flag Act, which will require the POW/MIA flag to be displayed alongside the American flag at certain federal buildings and memorials to honor all POW/MIAs, was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on November 7, 2019:
"I am pleased that President Trump has signed the bipartisan National POW/MIA Flag Act into law," said Congressman Pappas. "This legislation, which I was proud to introduce and work to pass in the House, honors those service members who were prisoners of war and the over 80,000 individuals who remain unaccounted for. This legislation reaffirms our country's commitment to them and ensures that the words emblazoned on the POW/MIA flag continue to communicate a clear message of our unwavering support and commitment to our nation's heroes and their families. That message is this: you are not forgotten."
Congressman Pappas, whose district is home to America's longest consecutively-held POW/MIA vigil in Meredith, New Hampshire, introduced the House version of the National POW/MIA Flag Act with Representative Jack Bergman (MI-01).
Background:
Under current law, the POW/MIA Flag is required to be displayed by the federal government on certain prominent federal properties only six days per year: Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and Veterans Day. The National POW/MIA Flag Act will ensure that the POW/MIA Flag is displayed whenever the U.S. flag is displayed, effectively ensuring that both flags are displayed concurrently every day at federal locations already designated under existing law.
This legislation was introduced in the House by Reps. Pappas and Bergman on March 7, 2019 and passed without objection in October. Companion legislation, which was introduced by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tom Cotton (R-AR), John Thune (R-SD), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), passed the Senate with unanimous consent in May.
The bill was endorsed by Rolling Thunder, Inc. National; the National League of POW/MIA Families; Veterans of Foreign Wars; The American Legion; National Alliance of Families for the Return of America's Missing Servicemen; American Ex-Prisoners of War; and AMVETS.