[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 102 (Friday, July 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AUTHORIZING CONGRESS TO PROHIBIT PHYSICAL 
              DESECRATION OF THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 17, 2001

  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give my strong support to 
H.J. Res. 36, the Flag Protection Amendment.
  Our flag is the symbol of the free world. It is the symbol that men 
and women have given their lives to protect and preserve. Thanks to 
these sacrifices, we are at peace today and are able to return the 
favor to the brave soldiers and sailors who stood guard to our flag and 
freedom from Lexington & Concord to the shores of Kuwait.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States flag stands for freedom, equality, and 
patriotism. These qualities are embodied in the true, tried waves of 
the flag as she flies proudly above this building, the United States 
Capitol. To protect the flag is not only the right thing to do, it is 
the necessary action to pursue.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Sensenbrenner on their 
hard work on this amendment and I urge my colleagues to support this 
meaningful and necessary piece of legislation.

                          ____________________