[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E998-E999]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             A FLAG DAY TRIBUTE TO THE CATSKILL ELKS LODGE

                                 ______


                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 5, 1996

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, back on June 14, 1777, the Continental 
Congress of the United States adopted a resolution that gave us the 
Stars and Stripes that are our America flag. This June 14, 1996, we 
will celebrate the 219th Flag Day and this Sunday, June 9, 1996, the 
Catskill Elks Lodge will be holding their annual Flag Day celebration 
to commemorate the most significant occasion.
  Mr. Speaker, let me tell you why it is so important that 
organizations like the Elks Lodge No. 1341 in Catskill, NY, take the 
time to recognize Flag Day and the American flag. It's because our flag 
is unique and so is Flag Day. To my knowledge, no other nation has a 
holiday like it. No other nation has a special day when its people 
gather, as those will gather at the Catskill Elks Lodge, to honor the 
flag as a special symbol.
  And that Mr. Speaker, is what makes our flag and Flag Day unique. It 
represents a unique nation, the strongest, freest, greatest nation on 
Earth. No other flag is anchored so securely in the hearts of a people 
like Old Glory is in ours.
  Let's stop for a moment and consider why that is. It's because of 
civic organizations and people like those at the Catskill Elks Lodge 
who continually remind us of the importance of our flag. It's because 
of their efforts to raise public awareness of the flag and all that it 
stands for that Old Glory commands the devotion, respect, and reverence 
that it does.
  That's why, Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to address the members of the 
Catskill Elks Lodge as Brother Elk. The Elks are devoted to promoting 
pride, patriotism, and volunteerism and do more than anyone when it 
comes to those goals. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks have 
helped to relight the fire of patriotism in every American citizen and 
through their voluntary acts on behalf of the

[[Page E999]]

community, they have helped to reach our young people in whose hands 
the future of America depends.
  But, Mr. Speaker, I owe my brother Elks in Catskill and around the 
country another expression of my personal gratitude. That's because 
they stood beside me, and the overwhelming majority of Americans, who 
wanted to see Old Glory, our most visible and beloved symbol, protected 
by the Constitution, our most sacred and beloved document. I'm 
referring of course to the constitutional amendment to prevent the 
physical destruction of our flag that passed overwhelming right here in 
the House Chamber, only to be defeated by just two votes in the Senate. 
As long as lodges like those in Catskill continue to impress upon our 
fellow Americans the significance of our flag and what it means to 
America, I'm confident we can afford it this ultimate protection it so 
richly deserves.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time, I ask that you and all Members of the 
House join me in tribute to the Catskill Elks Lodge for all they have 
done to spread appreciation for the American Flag and our country 
throughout their community. For those efforts, they are all truly great 
Americans.

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