[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1131]
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

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                               speech of

                           HON. BARBARA CUBIN

                               of wyoming

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 2003

  Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.J. Res. 
4, a constitutional amendment to restore protections for the most 
widely recognized symbol of our nation and our traditions, the flag of 
the United States of America.
  Some would call stuffing an American flag in a toilet or a trash can 
a work of art. I would call it a disgrace. Too many brave Americans 
have fought and died in defense of our flag to allow it to be soiled. 
In fact, they're fighting even today in Afghanistan, Iraq and all over 
the globe to secure the ideals for which the flag stands.
  Mr. Speaker, I spent this past weekend in my home state of Wyoming to 
celebrate Memorial Day. I spoke to a veteran there who wore a shirt 
with a picture of our flag and the legend, ``This flag wasn't earned to 
be burned.''
  Over the course of our history, more than a million brave Americans 
have given their lives in defense of our flag. We should honor their 
sacrifice by defending the flag with the same conviction they did. I 
urge the passage of this bill and yield back the balance of my time.

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