Last modified: 2006-07-15 by rick wyatt
Keywords: minnesota | proposal |
Links: FOTW homepage |
search |
disclaimer and copyright |
write us |
mirrors
See also:
Sen. Edward Oliver today introduced a bill in the Legislative to create a taskforce to
study the state flag, and in the House a companion bill will be
introduced with John Rhoades (Chair - House Govt Operations
Committee) as a co-sponsor.
On Tuesday, Feb. 19th, there will be a press conference in the
State Office Building press conference room (across from the
Sec. of State's office). Sen. Oliver has requested that Fr. Becker,
Mr. Mark Stratton, and I attend and speak to the issue.
Others that wish to attend are welcome.
Lee Herold, 16 February 2002
On Feb. 20, 2002 a news conference was held in the news conference room 112 of the State Office Building, next to the State Capitol, to introduce this bill to the media. Sen. Oliver discussed the need to consider a new flag. He argued that flags are important, especially since the Sept. 11th disaster in New York. He argued that the current flag is too complex, that children cannot draw it, and it is time to take a look. He mentioned the NAVA survey that rated Minnesota 67 of 72 North American flags.
by Blas Delgado Ortiz, 21 February 2002
I was invited to give a few remarks (I discussed some flag design principles &
how the current flag does not meet them), and to introduce our design, (drawn by
Edward Mooney a year or 2 ago on FOTW) created by Fr. William Becker in 1988.
Mr. Marc Stratton was also there to introduce his amazingly similar design
(white star centered) designed in 1989, just after our design. Both designs were
displayed in full sized 3x5 foot nylon appliqued flags, along with the Minnesota
flag, and the University of Minnesota flag (maroon with a gold -spanish yellow-
letter M). There was much media attention, AP wire item, TV, Radio, print. Front
page
picture of me and the proposed flag in our local paper, the Rochester Post
Bulletin (www.rochesterpostbulletin.com
- full article restricted by password & email address).
On Feb. 21, 2002 there was the first committee meeting in the Minnesota Senate,
Minnesota Capitol building, Room 107. The committee was the Agricultural,
General Legislation & Veterans Affairs Committee, Sen. Murphy, Chairperson, 12
members. The committee had a very full agenda and requested a very short
presentation. Sen. Oliver repeated a short version of the remarks of the
previous day. At the end of his remarks, I introduced our flag design and an
explanation. Questions were directed to the Senator only, and his testimony
influenced 2 Senators who realized for the first time that Minnesota has had 3
flags, and the last in 1983 does not make it such a historical item. The
chairman determined the matter would be more proper in the State & Local
Government Affairs Committee and a motion was entered. In discussion one Senator
believed it needed more study (before a study group is established?) and she was
going to vote no, although she thought it should be studied. Senator Vickerman
was flatly opposed, likes the current flag, does not like the attacks on the
farmer. A farmer is shown on the current
flag. The vote was 6 to 2 to refer it to the State & Local Government Affairs
Committee, of which Senator Vickerman above is the Chairperson.
Summary:
The bill has passed one committee. This committee could have killed or tabled
the bill.
Senator Vickerman can try to delay the bill or keep it off the agenda if he
strongly wants to stop it.
No committee hearings have been scheduled yet in the Minnesota House of
Representatives.
Lee L. Herold, 21 February 2002
The colors are 3 horizontal stripes of royal blue, white, and Irish green, the white stripe wavy. In the canton is a large Spanish yellow star, representing the North Star, the motto of Minnesota. The blue is for the 10,000 lakes. Minnesota in Sioux language means land of the sky tinted waters. The green represents the agriculture and forests presently depicted on the flag of Minnesota.
Lee L. Herold, 21 January 2003
Minnesota Flag legislation.
Bill to form a committee to study the design of the Minnesota State Flag.
Senate File: SF 3201 and House File: HF 3556.
Search at
http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us
The committee would consist of 3 Senators and 3 Representatives.
In the House. Passed the Government Operations Committee. Will be up for a floor
vote, date not scheduled. Sponsors, Reps. Erhard, Leppik, & Bradley. The Speaker
of the House, Rep. Sviggum, and the Minority Leader, Rep. Pugh both support the
bill.
In the Senate. Passed the Agriculture & Gen. Legislation Committee. Referred by
the Rules Committee to State & Local Government Operations, Chair Sen. Vickerman.
Hearing date uncertain. Sponsors, Sens. Oliver, Scheid, Terwilliger, Kiscaden.
The Majority Leader, Sen. Moe, and the Minority Leader, Sen. Day, both support
the bill.
The Governor. Gov. Ventura stated on his weekly radio show in response to a
question that Lt. Gov. Schunk likes the current flag, and based on her opinion
he may veto the bill.
Lee L. Herold, 4 March 2002
Today, Tuesday, March 26, 2002, the State & Local Government Operations
Committee Minnesota Senate, Chaired by Sen. Vickerman, Tracy, meet to discuss
SF 3201, a bill to study the design of the Minnesota Flag. Testifying were the
sponsor, Sen. Edward Oliver, Deephaven, and me. Sen. Oliver gave an excellent
presentation on the importance of the flag, how the flag developed, and the need
to improve it. I spoke on the flag created by Fr. William Becker that we had
presented as one proposal for a new State Flag. Prior to the committee meeting
Sen. Oliver had polled the committee of 12 and found only two opposed to the
bill, one was Sen. Vickerman the chairperson. However, after the presentation,
Sen. Betzhold came out strongly against the idea of a taskforce, stating that
"we" are always trying to get rid of taskforces. Sen. Vickerman in his opening
remarks, and each time he spoke continued to argue that although the committee
was free to vote as it wished, he, personally, was strongly opposed, the current
flag says Minnesota to him, and it should not be changed. We do not know if it
was the dynamics of a group (committee) where the strong negatives influences
the other members, or if Sen. Vickerman had privately talked to his committee
members and persuaded them to vote no. On the voice vote, it was 6 opposed to
the flag study, and 4 yes. The motion failed and this means there will be no
action in the Senate, and the House will not schedule a floor vote this session
either. It is too early to determine what other action might be taken or when.
Lee L. Herold, 27 March 2003
Below is the text of the presentation I am going to make before the Minnesota
Senate committee.
For a Simpler Minnesota Flag
The purpose of a flag is to be a visible symbol of an invisible bond. The
original Minnesota flag was white. It was designed by Amelia Hyde Center in
1893. This flag was unique. The front was white, but the back was blue. So when
it moved in the wind it would flash white and blue. It was lovely. In 1957 the
Legislature changed the flag. The cost of a two sided flag was prohibitive. The
blue reverse became the background color and the white front was shrunk and
encased in a large circle. In 1983 the State Seal was standardized and changed.
This meant the State flag was changed as well. So it remains today. I remember
the original flag. It was elegant. On the original flag the great star pattern
was expansive, shooting out from the Seal. The red ribbon entwining the Seal
flowed gracefully below. This elegance and grace were eliminated in 1957.
If I like the flag is not important. What is important is how the people of
Minnesota react to the flag. And this answer is bleak. All available evidence
indicates that it is not a popular flag. It is the United States that created
the modern importance of flags. Before the American Revolution, flags were the
property of monarchs. Commoners used the king's flag by permission, or by order.
It did not belong to them. Then in America, the flag became not the President's
flag, not the government's flag, but the people's flag. The people's flag is a
flag owned by each citizen. This idea has changed the use of flags worldwide.
Now flags really do symbolize people and their ideals. And people have responded
with a love for their flags. Nothing better shows the power of flags than the
tragedy of September 11th, 2001. Countless Americans reached for and embraced
the US Flag, and within 2 days the entire stock of US flags in the entire
country was sold out. People needed this symbol to touch, to see, to be
reassured, to feel a connection with their neighbors. The US flag was the
visible symbol of our invisible unity.
One of the greatest Minnesota emotional events was in 1987 when the Twins won
the World Series. A statewide celebration broke out, spontaneous joy, cheers and
crowds. Yet, there was a complete absence of the Minnesota flag. Why? It is a
design that fails to reach and touch people. The Minnesota flag was not a
visible symbol of our common joy. There is little evidence in Minnesota that our
flag has served us well. You can educate, advertise, and encourage people, but
the current flag will never become popular and useful. It is expensive, too
complex, and does not connect with the people. It will not work. Flags that work
are simple and meaningful. Our flag is not simple, not meaningful. I urge you to
give us a flag we can use, an effective proud symbol of our great State of
Minnesota.
Lee Herold, 27 March 2006
On March 30, I testified before the Senate committee. This committee had met
already about 5 hours, plus members were in other committees. The meeting
started at 6 pm. The members were tired. In the 3/4 hour before I was up,
approximate 15 bills were heard and passed. A very fast pace. This bill was the
only one to get no votes, but it did pass, to go to the Senate floor if the
House also passes the bill. Now it must pass the corresponding House
committee by Tuesday, April 4th. They have a meeting on the 4th, but this bill
is not on the agenda (but it may well be heard). The sponsor is a long time and
respected legislator, Rep. Phyllis Kahn, but in the minority party.
Below is my last letter to the committee chair, Rep. Kathy Tingelstad:
April 1, 2006
Dear Rep. Tingelstad,
Endorsements to consider a study of the Minnesota flag: Speaker Sviggum, Senator
Day, former Senator Oliver.
This passed the Senate State & Local Government operations committee on March
30, 2006. It passed in 2002 the House Government Operations & Veterans Affairs
committee. It has been endorsed or supported by the Minneapolis Star Tribune,
St. Paul Pioneer Press, Mankato Free Press, Rochester Post Bulletin, Worthington
Daily Globe, The Utne Reader, and many others. This is before your committee,
but as I understand must have a hearing by April 4th, Tuesday, and I do not see
it on the website schedule. This is not a radical bill, it is only a study, and
the information it produces could be of great benefit to the State, financially
and culturally. I hope you will give this study bill a chance in your committee.
Thanks for your kind consideration.
Lee Herold, 2 April 2006
This is a copy of the email sent to notify local Minnesotan's about the
results of the committee meeting, Tuesday, April 4th, 2006.
Hi Everyone,
Pardon me for not writing you individually. HF3974 failed in the House
Government Operations and Veterans Affairs committee by approx. 12 to 6, voice
vote. Committee votes are not recorded, so I'm not sure exactly who voted which
way. Therefore, the Senate will not likely schedule a floor vote.
However, it is possible, since it passed committee in the Senate, to add it to
the Omnibus Bill, instead of a direct floor vote. House sponsor Rep. Phyllis
Kahn will discuss this with Senate sponsor Sen. Linda Higgens. We'll see.
This has been a good year. In 2002 a House committee voted to look at the
Minnesota flag design, in 2006 a Senate committee voted to look at the flag
design. Every major newspaper in Minnesota, except Duluth has supported a look
at the flag. We are slowly gaining. Never give up!
Special thanks to former Sen. Edward Oliver, the bill sponsor in 2002, for
coming to the hearing. He, unfortunately, could not stay until the actual bill
was brought up. And special thanks to Glenn Gilbert, who attended the hearing,
emailed the blue US State flags to committee members, and allowed us to use it
as a hand out ( http://www.mnflag.com/ ),
and when the chair asked for comment from the audience, stepped forward and
spoke eloquently about children not being able to draw the flag and more.
Ok, in the House, even with limited time, it was a fair debate. The discussion
was reasonable on all sides. We did a good presentation with a good argument. I
believe we showed that the flag has failed. The opponents simply would not
accept that the flag is not popular, nor that the complexity is wrong. I told
them to go out and ask their people "What does the flag look like?" and they'll
find 50% say it is blue, with a white circle. Thus it is a moon flag..... right?
So, I am lovingly calling it the moon flag. The moon has no part in Minnesota
mythology. But a moon flag is excellent design-wise. The flags of
Japan, Palau, &
Bangladesh are sun flags and great flags.
Lee Herold, 4 April 2006