[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 21, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E649-E650]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        THE SYMBOL OF OUR NATION

                                 ______


                            HON. TOM BEVILL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 21, 1995
  Mr. BEVILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the introduction 
of historic legislation that will finally give the American flag the 
recognition it deserves as a symbol of our Nation.
  As many as 235 Members of the House have co-sponsored this bill to 
amend the U.S. 
[[Page E650]] Constitution to allow States to pass laws outlawing abuse 
of our flag. We are proud of the American flag and we want to protect 
it.
  The issue of flag desecration has been with us for too long. As you 
know, in 1984, a protester at the Republican National Convention in 
Houston was arrested for burning the flag which was against the law in 
Texas. Five years later the Supreme Court struck down the Texas law and 
the offender was acquitted. In 1990, Congress passed a bill to remedy 
this situation, but it too was struck down as unconstitutional. So now 
our only choice is to pass this legislation, amend the U.S. 
Constitution and allow the States to pass their own laws to correct 
this problem.
  As a veteran, I feel particularly strong about this proposal. Many 
men and women throughout our Nation's history have sacrificed their 
lives so that we could enjoy the freedoms we now have. The flag is a 
symbol of this country and a tribute to those who have protected our 
Nation through the years. To allow individuals to desecrate this symbol 
for petty purposes is to cheapen the country for which it stands. I 
find it extremely offensive that laws cannot be passed by States to 
prohibit this kind of behavior.
  This bill is not meant to restrict the first amendment rights 
guaranteed to all Americans. I strongly believe that individuals and 
groups must be able to speak their minds on issues that concern them. 
But that does not mean burning the flag. I feel flag desecration goes 
beyond freedom of expression. It is an abuse of the U.S. Constitution 
and the freedoms that great document provides.
  Our proposal is not a heavy-handed Government mandate. We want to 
give States the ability to pass the laws they deem necessary. Forty-six 
States have already passed resolutions which outlaw the desecration of 
the flag. Alabama joined these ranks in 1991. I think it is time for 
Congress to take the initiative to correct this situation once and for 
all. I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation and start the 
process for adding this historic amendment to the U.S. Constitution.


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