ST. PAUL - A state legislator and descendant of Betsy Ross threw his support Thursday behind a long-unsuccessful effort to require American flags sold in Minnesota be made in the U.S., one of an overwhelming House majority to back the bill.
After six years of trying, Rep. Tom Rukavina succeeded on an 83-46 vote to pass his bill. It brought both humor and emotion to the House floor.
Rep. Larry Howes, a rare Republican to vote for the bill, said his family has a long military history, going back to the American Revolution when an ancestor was a seamstress.
"Gen. Washington asked her to do him a favor, that is to make a flag," the Walker Republican told fellow representatives. "Her name was Betsy Ross. Our family thanks you, Rep. Rukavina."
A similar Senate bill - sponsored by DFL Sens. David Tomassoni of Chisholm and Steve Murphy of Red Wing, among others - has yet to get a hearing.
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Rukavina started fighting for the American-made flag requirement after seeing foreign-made flags during a Sept. 11, 2001, memorial service. Since then, a Republican-controlled House rejected the concept.
This year's DFL-majority House accepted the measure, but not before Republicans threw up as many roadblocks as possible in the hour-and-a-half debate.
Rep. Torrey Westrom, R-Elbow Lake, said if Rukavina's measure becomes law, it will cost Minnesotans "thousands and thousands of dollars because Barney Fife has locked them up." He said Minnesotans will need to "get lawyered up" to defend themselves.
The penalty for selling a foreign-made American flag would be up to $1,000 fine or 90 days in jail, but Rukavina, DFL-Virginia, said he expected only stores to face any penalties. Some Republicans said they were concerned that people selling flags at garage sales or at July 4 celebrations would be charged.
Rukavina said his bill goes behind just requiring flags to be made in this country.
"I think this bill is about jobs - jobs for Americans
Davis works for Forum Communications Co., which owns the Herald.
