house Bill H.R. 723
Sending Special Flags to the Families of Emergency Responders Who've Died in the Line of Duty
Argument in favor
First responders deserve our utmost respect. By offering flags from the Capitol, the families of those who gave their lives to protect others will have a memento expressing the attention and respect of one of the most powerful bodies in the country.
05/13/2015
Suprised we don't do this all ready. Though a nice gesture it is. It would be more meaningful to offer assistance to the families of the victims. A flag flown over the Capitol while Congress cuts first responders benefits and income is kind of hypocrisy. How about this. If they want a flag. Great. If not. Great.
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05/18/2015
I think everyone who has died protecting people deserves special recognition in any form.
Argument opposed
First responders deserve our utmost respect. There are thousands of things we can do to show them that they have it: increasing pay, or ensuring that their families are financially secure. Sending their families a flag when they die is well-intentioned, but not helpful.
05/13/2015
This is a nice sentiment but doesn't put food on the table, clothes of the back, or educate their children. I would rather see something that is not as symbolic but actually helps these people in their time of crisis.
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05/13/2015
Increase their wages and allow them to stimulate the economy by buying flags at retail. I believe that the government would buy flags at outrageous prices to send.
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05/13/2015
While the sentiment is nice, situations like this should be handled by the states.
This is a nice sentiment but doesn't put food on the table, clothes of the back, or educate their children. I would rather see something that is not as symbolic but actually helps these people in their time of crisis.
Increase their wages and allow them to stimulate the economy by buying flags at retail. I believe that the government would buy flags at outrageous prices to send.
While the sentiment is nice, situations like this should be handled by the states.
Suprised we don't do this all ready. Though a nice gesture it is. It would be more meaningful to offer assistance to the families of the victims. A flag flown over the Capitol while Congress cuts first responders benefits and income is kind of hypocrisy. How about this. If they want a flag. Great. If not. Great.
I think everyone who has died protecting people deserves special recognition in any form.
I served 20 years in the military, if I died in the course of that service I would not want the loved ones I left behind handed a "Special Flag" I would want their financial and security needs taken care of. This is a well intentioned but empty gesture at best. It's negligence and breaking faith with people who put it all on the line at worst.
Being a veteran myself this means a lot to me. I believe all first responders put their lives on the line everyday. I believe the family receiving a simple gesture like a flag is the very least we can do to honor their service.
There are too many other things better & more effective to honor them than sending a flag. Give a death benefit like paying for their child's college or a monthly stipend to the spouse.
Great idea, but it's not a necessity. We have ISIS, campaign finance reform, immigration, infrastructure, tax reform issues, and we're debating flags?
Not everyone gets a flag. This is a special honor for servicemen who have died. If you give a flag to everyone, it loses its meaning
It is a nice sentiment, but only a sentiment. Help them in other ways while they're alive that might just keep them breathing longer.
My grandfather's flag is one of my most precious possessions. It is only fair that every family member of emergency responders be given this honor.
Flags? How about caring for them rather than a cheap, empty gesture. Chinese made flags. You must be joking.
After working with my local fire department for a year, I've grown to have the utmost respect for those who dedicate themselves to the service of the community with hard work and professionalism. When a firefighter, police officer, medic, or other first responder lays down their life to help a stranger, they have earned this gesture of respect from our nation.
While I totally agree that more could be done, why not vote yes on this, send the flags, and then add on from there?
A traditional memorial as American as marriage between a man and a woman. Amen.
well-intentioned, but I'd rather see the money go to a stipend to the survivors of the first responders