Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara has introduced new legislation in the State Assembly called the NEW YORK STATE ALL-AMERICAN FLAG ACT. The bill requires that all United States and New York State flags sold in the State of New York must be made entirely in the United States, with 100 percent American materials and only using only U.S. based labor. Currently, U.S. law requires that flags purchased by the federal government only be made of at least 50 percent American materials. “Our flag has covered the coffins of presidents, it has traveled to the moon, and for those who make the ultimate in sacrifice for our great nation, their remains are covered with the flag for which they fought for when they are given their final honors, and that flag should be made in the United States,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara who served in the US Army Reserve from 1990-1998.

Since the image of the American flag is in the public domain, anyone can use it; however, bi-partisan resolutions from Congress and the American Legion denounce importing US flags. In 2001, following the 9/11 attacks, the high demand for flags, and the surge of Chinese supply, Congress introduced the Genuine American Flag Act intended to ban all American-flag imports to the United States. Although it was never passed-Arizona, Florida, Tennessee, Maryland, Massachusetts and Wisconsin all passed laws restricting state funds to only flags that are made in the U.S. and Minnesota banned the sale of foreign-made American flags. “I stand with Americans who want their flag American-made,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara.

The most recent estimates indicate that $3.6 million worth of American flags are imported into the U.S. each year, nearly all of them (91%) from China. “That means millions of Americans show their patriotism by waving a flag that was not made in the United States,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “It matters that our flag is made here in our country.”