[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 67 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5471-S5472]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNITION OF MELINDA HUBBARD

 Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize 
the outstanding academic achievement of a resident from my home state 
of Oregon, Ms. Melinda Hubbard. A senior at Country Christian High 
School, Melinda was recently named as the Oregon State Winner of the 
Citizens Flag Alliance Essay Contest for her essay entitled ``The 
American Flag Protection Amendment: A Right of the People * * * the 
Right Thing to Do.''
  I agree with Melinda that the time has come to protect our nation's 
flag with a Constitutional Amendment. I am requesting that her essay be 
printed in the record immediately following my remarks so that every 
American can have the opportunity to read it.
  In addition, I have requested the Sergeant at Arms Office to fly a 
flag over the Capitol on Flag Day, June 14, 1998, in recognition of her 
achievement.
  The essay follows.

 The American Flag Protection Amendment: The Right of the People . . . 
                         the Right Thing To Do

   (By Melinda S. Hubbard--A Senior at Country Christian High School)

       The American flag. The stars and stripes. Old Glory. The 
     Star-Spangled Banner All of these are names for the most 
     widely known symbol of our great nation. These are names that 
     have inspired patriotism in many people. But what do they 
     mean to us now?
       In years gone by, many people have sacrificed their lives 
     for the principles upon which the United States of America 
     was founded and for which our flag is a symbol. The flag is a 
     symbol of what our nation was as well as what it has become. 
     Because of this symbolism, the flag of the United States of 
     America should be honored and respected. This is why a flag 
     protection amendment is necessary.
       The United States of America has long been viewed as the 
     greatest country in the world, not only by its citizens, but 
     by many other nations as well. Part of the reason that it is 
     viewed thusly is due to the fact that its Constitution and 
     form of government have survived for so long. While it is 
     true that America is a relatively young country when compared 
     with European nations, America has known a stability that few 
     other nations have known. Consider France or Italy. In the 
     past two hundred years, France has experienced seven 
     completely different forms of government, and Italy has seen 
     fifty-one forms. The stability of the United States comes 
     from our nation's foundation, which was on the principles and 
     morals of the Christian men who founded our great nation.
       In his farewell address on September 19, 1796, George 
     Washington said, ``Of all the dispositions and habits which 
     lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are 
     indispensable supports . . . 'Tis substantially true, that 
     virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular 
     government.'' Before we are able to look at what our nation 
     symbolizes, we must first look to the men who founded it. 
     They were the Puritans. But what were the Puritans looking 
     for? The Puritans were looking for a land of freedom, a land 
     where they could worship their Lord and Savior as they 
     believed He should be worshipped. It was for this reason that 
     they fled England. They wanted a country whose churches could 
     not be dictated to by the nation's leaders. Not only were 
     they looking

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     for a country where they would be allowed to worship, but 
     they were looking for a land where they could speak 
     out against what contradicted their beliefs and where they 
     could have a voice in who was to lead their country. For 
     these reasons, they toiled in a new land, carving their 
     homes from wilderness. Without the discipline, mortality, 
     and virtue of the founders, our nation's government would 
     not have endured for as long as it has.
       For more than two hundred years, the United States has been 
     a land of freedom and opportunity, thanks to the diligence of 
     its founders. But with those same freedoms and opportunities 
     comes responsibility, a responsibility to the memories of 
     each and every man, woman, and child that has given a part of 
     their life as a sacrifice for their country. This 
     responsibility is one that, as America grows stronger and 
     more prosperous, few wish to share.
       Since the time when everyone held the same beliefs and 
     moral standards, people's convictions and ways they are 
     taught have changed. The citizens of the United States are 
     now being taught to believe many opposing codes of conduct 
     such as ``There's no definite right or wrong; there is only 
     what you feel'' and ``There is accountability to God, your 
     country, and your family.'' While everyone is most definitely 
     free to believe as they choose, these contrasting 
     philosophies lead to different opinions on how the flag, the 
     symbol of our nation, should be treated.
       The freedoms which the founding fathers toiled to establish 
     and for which our flag is a symbol are an important part of 
     our nation's heritage. Without these freedoms, we would be 
     lost and would become just as any other country, a people who 
     are devoid of hope. When a person desecrates the flag of the 
     United States, he is not only scorning our nation, but he is 
     also desecrating the memory of every person who ever served 
     in a war or sacrificed their own life in order to maintain 
     the freedoms of our nation.
       We must protect our nation's heritage and foundation. Also, 
     we need to honor the memories of those who have given their 
     lives to save the freedoms of the United States. The flag of 
     the United States, as a symbol of these, should be cherished 
     as dearly as our lives, if not more so. This is why I believe 
     there needs to be a flag protection amendment.
       According to Article 5 of the Constitution of the United 
     States, there are four ways to amend the Constitution. The 
     first way is for Congress to propose an amendment, then have 
     the legislatures of three-fourths of the states approve it. 
     Secondly, Congress can propose the amendment, and special 
     conventions in three-fourths of the states can approve the 
     addition. Thirdly, two-thirds of the states' legislatures can 
     request a special national convention to propose an 
     amendment, and three-fourths of the states' legislatures 
     ratify the amendment. Fourthly, two-thirds of the states' 
     legislatures can call for a special national convention to 
     propose an amendment, and special conventions in three 
     fourths of the states ratify the amendments.
       While these amendment procedures are not easily 
     accomplished, it is possible with persistence. We need to 
     preserve our heritage and our flag, honoring both. The only 
     way to be sure that the flag will always be a protected 
     symbol of our nation's heritage is for this amendment to be 
     passed.

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