Lawmaker pushes for flags made in the U.S.A.

Sunday, July 08, 2007 By Trish G. Graber

TRENTON If the state’s paying for a flag with taxpayer dollars, it better say “Made in the U.S.A.”

That’s the message Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew began pushing after discovering a flag in a Statehouse office that was crafted in China.

“If our own government can’t fly a flag that was produced in our country, then something is wrong,” said Van Drew, D-1 of Millville.

Van Drew checked the flag out of sheer curiosity after the issue of foreign-made flags was brought to his attention by a veteran.

And, according to the United States Census Bureau, it’s not uncommon.

In 2006, the bureau reported, $5.3 million worth of American flags were imported to the United States, $5 million of them from China.

Van Drew’s bill, which has more than 30 co-sponsors, would make it illegal for the state to buy a foreign-made New Jersey or American flag.

Tennessee has enacted a similar law. Minnesota’s ban on foreign-made American flags will take effect at the end of the year.

For Van Drew and the co-sponsors including Assemblymen Paul Moriarty, David Mayer, Douglas Fisher, John Burzichelli and Nelson Albano it just makes sense.

And for some residents, like Vietnam veteran Gene Timmons, of Gloucester County, the issue hits close to home.

Two years ago at the funeral of his aunt, a World War II nurse, a Cape May undertaker supplied the 5-by-9-1/2 foot casket flag.

Much to his surprise, when Timmons received the folded flag, the tag read “Made in Taiwan.”

“It was a disgrace,” he said.

Timmons, who sells flags distributed by East Coast Flag and Banner, refuses to handle those made in foreign countries.

“Men are dying for this flag and it is made in another country,” Timmons said. “I can’t see it.”

Van Drew’s bill would only prohibit the purchase of foreign-made flags by the state. The measure passed the Assembly unanimously in June and is pending in the Senate.