Oklahoma lawmaker only wants Old Glory made by a U.S. brand

Published 7:45 am Wednesday, January 27, 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY — A flap is unfurling at the Capitol over who makes the American flags that hang in classrooms, stand alongside podiums and fly over schools and public buildings across Oklahoma.

If a Tulsa lawmaker has his way, Old Glory waving down at the courthouse will most certainly be made in America with American materials.

Rep. Ken Walker, a Republican, said he got the idea when he heard about Florida lawmakers who passed a similar law. Quiz the average Oklahoman, he said, and he or she probably will agree that U.S. flags bought with taxpayer money should be American-made.

“I think it has a very good chance of making it through the Legislature,” said Walker, a Desert Storm veteran. “I can’t see very many people opposing a bill that if you (buy it) with taxpayer dollars, it has to be made in the United States.

“If it’s paid for with taxpayer dollars, it should be made in America,” he said.

Tens of millions of U.S. flags are made in the states each year, constituting a $300 million industry, said Reggie VandenBosch, president of the Flag Manufacturers Association of America.

The non-profit trade group certifies flags that are made in the United States. Practically speaking, it recognizes just four manufacturers.

VandenBosch is also vice president of sales for one of those companies, Valley Forge Flag, which makes flags in South Carolina and Alabama.

While he wasn’t familiar with Walker’s proposal, VandenBosch said, “It’s a great statement.”

Most states don’t have such laws he said, though they usually require that U.S.-made flags when putting out bids for new banners. Military bases follow similar practices, he said.

To ensure all versions of the Star Spangled Banner acquired by Oklahoma government are manufactured in the United States, Walker’s proposal requires the seal of the Flag Manufacturers Association of America.

The bill doesn’t actually contain penalties for public entities that accidentally purchase the wrong flags.

Of course, the odds of doing so are slim. All but 1 or 2 percent of flags flying across the country are made in the United States, said VandenBosch.

“In reality, there are very few consumers that want to fly a flag other than one made in the U.S.,” he said. “There’s a lot of pride in our symbol. We’re in the country where the flag is, for all of us. It’s not just one political party or another.

“If you want to get people upset,” he said, “give them an American Flag that wasn’t made in America.”

VandenBosch allows that U.S. flags made overseas are usually less expensive, but he insists that those manufactured here are of higher quality.

Walker’s legislation doesn’t limit the flags bought by residents and businesses, but he said he hopes people will consider their origins.

Before proposing his bill, he said, he headed out to his front porch to ensure that his flag was, in fact, made in the United States.

Thankfully, he said, it was.

Janelle Stecklein covers the Oklahoma Statehouse for CNHI’s newspapers and websites. Reach her at jstecklein@cnhi.com.