[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 98 (Thursday, June 15, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1252-E1253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          PROTECTING THE FLAG

                                 ______


                             HON. TOBY ROTH

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 14, 1995
  Mr. ROTH. Mr. Speaker, today Americans across the Nation will unfurl 
Old Glory to celebrate Flag Day. Last Saturday, June 10, Appleton, WI 
held the Nation's largest Flag Day parade to honor our veterans who won 
World War II 50 years ago.
  Fifty years ago, the U.S. Marine Corps invaded the rocky island of 
Iwo Jima. The month-long assault marked the beginning of the United 
States forces freeing the South Pacific from Japanese occupation. This 
epic battle was won at the staggering cost of 6,821 American lives.
  One of the veterans of this battle was John H. Bradley, a native of 
Antigo, WI. When he died last year, Mr. Bradley was the last survivor 
of the six American servicemen who raised the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima. 
Their valor was captured in the unforgettable 1945 Pulitzer Prize-
winning photograph by Joe Rosenthal.
  Across the Potomac River from the Capitol, that flag-raising scene is 
brought to life in the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial. Day and night, 
American citizens and visitors from around the world come to pay homage 
to the six Americans who struggled to raise the flag on Mount 
Suribachi, the highest point on Iwo Jima.
  The raising of the flag brought tears to the valiant Americans who 
were still struggling to vanquish the nearly impregnable Japanese 
defenses. The rippling red, white, and blue of Old Glory overhead 
instilled hope and courage to these weary marines.
  To Americans, the flag is a symbol to revere, respect, and honor. At 
the 45th annual Appleton Flag Day parade, I saw rugged World War II 
veterans, as well as little boys and girls, snap to attention when the 
flag passed by.
  For many years, Federal law and 48 State laws protected the flag from 
physical desecration. While Americans have always defended political 
dissent, we draw the line at burning our national symbol.
  But in 1989, the U.S. Supreme Court nullified these laws with a 
nonsensical interpretation of the first amendment protection of freedom 
of speech. [[Page E1253]] 
  Congress responded by passing a law to restore the protection of the 
flag, but the Court again defied the will of the people.
  After that defeat, Congress tried but failed to pass a constitutional 
amendment that would allow flag protection laws.
  Mr. Speaker, we didn't have the votes then. But this is a new 
Congress, a Congress that believes our national symbol deserves the 
protection of law.
  In the coming weeks, the House of Representatives will try again--and 
this time, I believe we will win. House Joint Resolution 79, the 
American flag protection amendment, will restore the flag to its 
rightful honor. This amendment has sailed through the Committee on the 
Judiciary and is scheduled for vote in the near future.
  On behalf of the patriotic citizens of Appleton, and of all the 
people in northeast Wisconsin, and of every State in America, I rise to 
urge the House to pass this amendment.
  Flag Day is not just a celebration of the American flag, but a 
celebration of the American people and American ideals. Let us remember 
the stirring words of Longfellow:

     ``Take thy banner! May it wave
     Proudly o'er the good and brave.''

  Mr. Speaker, the flag deserves protection from those who would defile 
it. On this Flag Day, as we remember the brave Americans who won World 
War II 50 years ago, this Congress must restore to the flag its 
rightful standing as a symbol to be honored, saluted, respected, and 
protected.
  If we fail, then the tears of pride shed by the World War II veteran 
I saw in Appleton last Saturday will turn to tears of shame. Let us not 
disappoint this patriot who crossed an ocean and fought a war to defend 
the ideals embodied in our American flag.


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