[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 82 (Thursday, June 12, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H3722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         AMEND THE CONSTITUTION TO PREVENT BURNING OF OLD GLORY

  (Mr. TRAFICANT asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, in America it is illegal to burn trash, 
but we can burn the flag. In America it is illegal to remove a label 
from a mattress, but we can rip the stars and stripes from the flag. In 
America it is illegal to damage a mailbox, but we can destroy the flag.
  Scholars say the Constitution allows it. Maybe so, but the original 
Constitution allowed slavery and treated women and Indians like cattle. 
Mr. Speaker, it is time to change the Constitution.
  A people that do not honor and respect their flag is a people that 
does not honor and respect their neighbors or their country. If 
individuals want to make a political statement, they can burn their 
bras, burn their pantyhose, burn their BVD's, but they should leave Old 
Glory alone.
  It is time to amend the Constitution.

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