[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 19 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HOW BEST TO HONOR OUR FLAG

  (Mr. SKAGGS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SKAGGS. Mr. Speaker, respect and honor for the flag is a subject 
again before this House. How best do we do it?
  As a Marine veteran, I cherish the symbol of our country's freedoms 
to which we pledged allegiance just a few minutes ago. But should we 
amend the Bill of Rights for the first time in our Nation's history? 
Should we eat into the guarantee of free speech that is the essence of 
this country in order to protect the flag? The answer is no.
  Let us not fall into the mistake of elevating the symbol of our 
freedoms above our freedoms themselves. This country is strong enough 
to withstand dissent, even dissent expressed so offensively that it 
involves the desecration of the flag.
  For those who want to reaffirm their love of country and flag, the 
gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Kolbe] and I are introducing a resolution 
today that does that but does not amend the Constitution.
  Honor the flag? Absolutely. We honor it best by keeping the 
Constitution as it is. Honoring the freedom that we stand for best 
honors our flag.

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