[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 53 (Wednesday, March 22, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      PROTECTING OUR NATION'S FLAG

                                 ______


                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 22, 1995
  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, because of my longstanding support 
to affirm the right of State legislatures and the U.S. Congress to 
protect the American flag, I am proud to once again be an original 
introducer today of a constitutional amendment declaring that Congress 
and the States shall have the power to prohibit the act of physical 
desecration of the American flag.
  This is not the first time the House will consider this resolution. 
As my colleagues may recall, on June 21, 1990, the House fell just 34 
votes short of the two-thirds vote required to approve this 
constitutional amendment. Since that time, 44 States have passed 
resolutions calling on Congress to give them the opportunity to ratify 
an amendment to the Constitution protecting the flag--6 more than the 
38 States needed for ratification.
  Mr. Speaker, it is only fitting that on the 50th anniversary of the 
historic flag-raising atop Iwo Jima's Mount Suribachi, that we 
reintroduce this amendment to protect our flag from desecration. On 
this occasion we remember the 75,000 marines who fought for 36 days in 
one of the most grueling battles of World War II, a time when 
``uncommon valor was a common virtue.'' We honor the nearly 7,000 men 
who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country during the fight for 
the island, and the countless others wounded in this campaign.
  In memory of those who fought that battle, we have erected the U.S. 
Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, VA, where the moving re-
creation of that famous flag-raising stands with the glorious Stars and 
Stripes atop the flagpole. It stands as a memorial not only to the 
Americans who served so bravely in that battle, but for all Americans 
who marched in battle behind the Stars and Stripes to restore freedom 
and protect the ideals which our great flag symbolizes.
  Few things dishonor their memory more than acts of desecration of the 
American flag.
  Our flag waves across the United States as a symbol of freedom and 
democracy and as a constant reminder of those who paid the ultimate 
price in service to their country. Casting contempt on the flag is the 
same, in my view, as casting contempt upon our Constitution and all the 
values of our great Nation for which it stands--liberty, equality, and 
justice for all. On battlefields throughout our Nation's history many 
lives have been lost and much pain and suffering endured by those 
committed to the defense of these values. To desecrate the flag is to 
cast contempt upon these brave men and women who carried our flag into 
battle with them; soldiers who have fought so bravely and offered their 
lives to protect the freedoms which we enjoy today and the promise of a 
free future for our children.
  The United States stands as an example of freedom and justice for all 
to follow. The American flag remains a symbol throughout the world of 
that freedom and justice. It has inspired ordinary Americans to make 
extraordinary sacrifice, and should be respected and protected always. 
I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring and supporting this 
amendment.


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