Memorandum for the President Regarding the Preferred Design for the 50-Star Flag

REC O.F. SEP 1 l 1459 102.C THE WHITE HOUSE CENTRAL FILES WASHINGTON August 17, 1959 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT In accordance with your request, the undersigned reconvened to consider a design for the 50-star flag recognizing the admission of Hawaii to the Union. As with the 49-star flag, a great many proposals were suggested by the general public, and these were carefully analyzed. Your Committee again determined that it desired to recommend a flag which would retain the basic features of the present flag as to the number and positioning of the stripes, as well as the size and location of the field. It then determined that it would be desir- able to continue the staggered arrangement of the rows of stars. With these general determinations in mind, it became apparent that there were two possible design arrangements. One would, in effect, add an eighth star to the middle row of the present 49-star 7-row - design. The other arrangement would have nine alternating rows of six and five stars. The Committee unanimously recommends to you the latter arrangement, which is shown on the attached design. Acting Secretary of State xof8 RanutBCanvanant Secretary of the Treasury XOF9 XOF 102- C.3 Daid Eeroy x OF3 Secretary of Defense David E. finley XOF63 Chairman, Commission of Fine Arts