TRENTON – The General Assembly Nov. 20 passed legislation Assembly members Nelson Albano, Connie Wagner and Matt Milam sponsored to require that any United States or New Jersey state flag purchased with state funds be manufactured in the United States.

“It makes absolutely no sense to allow even one dime of the public’s money to be spent on an American flag made anywhere but in America,” said Albano (D-1st). “It is bad enough that our state and nation’s manufacturing bases have largely evaporated as jobs were shipped elsewhere. Buying the most-recognized symbol of our nation from overseas just adds insult to injury.”

The lawmakers said the measure (A-1784) is needed to send the strong message that using taxpayer funds to purchase flags made overseas is an insult to hard-working American families.

Under federal law, every flag sold in the United States must clearly identify its country of origin.

According to the Flag Manufacturers Association of America – a Washington, DC, trade group representing flag producers – four domestic flag producers meet the group’s “Certified Made in the USA” requirements, including Annin & Co. of Roseland, Bergen County.

“The flags of our country and our state represent more than two centuries of shared sacrifice and the promises of freedom and liberty,” said Milam (D-Cumberland /Atlantic/Cape May). “Allowing public funds to finance corporations that produce flags overseas is a smack in the face of everyone who takes pride in New Jersey and our nation.”

The measure passed 78-0 and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.