[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 82 (Thursday, June 12, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H3723]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     PROTECTING THE SACRED SYMBOL OF THIS NATION, THE AMERICAN FLAG

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on the eve of Flag Day, in 
strong support of House Joint Resolution 54, a constitutional amendment 
to prohibit the desecration of the American flag.
  More than 1 million men and women have sacrificed their lives 
defending this country and the freedom that it represents. It would be 
a great dishonor for us now to turn our backs on those who gave so much 
to protect the American flag and what it symbolizes. We must now fight 
for them in protecting the sacred symbol of this Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, as a veteran of both Vietnam and the Desert Storm wars, 
I proudly support this legislation and urge my colleagues on both sides 
of the aisle to do the same.

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