Letter from J. Murray Marshall to Laurence Curtis Regarding the Proposal to Display the New 50-Star Flag at Park Street Church

APR 1959 PARK STREET CHURCH HAROLD JOHN OCKENGA BOSTON 8, MASSACHUSETTS April 16, 1959 BRIMSTONE CORNER Congressman Laurence Curtis House Office Building Washington, D. C. Dear Congressman Curtis: Knowing of your cordial contact with Park Street Church, I am taking the liberty to write to you concerning a proposal involving Park Street Church and Boston on an event of national significance. I have seen from the press that historic Fort McHenry, where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write "The Star-Spangled Banner", has been chosen for the inauguration of the new forty-nine-star flag on July 4, 1959. Inasmuch as a fiftieth state has now been admitted to the Union, there will in due time be an inauguration of a fifty-star flag. My proposal is that when the fifty-star flag is first flown officially Park Street Church be the location. The reasons for this are: 1. Park Street Church was the site of the first singing of the hymn "America" on July 4, 1831, and is consequently a place of historic interest. Recognition of this was taken in June of 1957 by a joint resolution of the Congress of the United States and by the General Council of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and by His Excellency Foster Furcolo, Governor of Massachusetts. 2. Park Street Church has historic ties with the state of Hawaii inasmuch as the first missionary activity in the Hawaiian Islands was commissioned in Park Street Church. Park Street Church still takes an active interest in supporting similar endeavors in Hawaii today. 3. Since the fiftieth state is Hawaii it would seem appropriate that this historic shrine be the site of the first official flying of the fifty-star flag. I would consider your reaction extremely valuable and would appreciate hear- ing from you. If you feel that there is merit to the suggestion, would you be so kind as to suggest to me the steps that should be followed to bring it to reality. I am writing a similar letter to Senator Leverett Saltonstall. With sincere appreciation for your time and interest, I am, JMM/mlc Security Cordially Murray Marshall yours, Assistant Minister