[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 16 (Wednesday, February 1, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      WAR MEMORIAL PROTECTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DARRELL E. ISSA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 24, 2012

  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 290, the ``War 
Memorial Protection Act,'' of which I am a proud cosponsor.
  H.R. 290 will allow religious symbols to be included as part of a 
military memorial established or acquired by the U.S. government. This 
follows past legislation which led to the federal government's 
acquisition of Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial from the city of San 
Diego in 2006.
  First erected in 1913, the cross on top of Mount Soledad has been a 
fixture of San Diego for nearly a century. In 1954 the Mount Soledad 
Veterans Memorial was rebuilt and dedicated as a lasting memorial to 
the dead of the two world wars and the Korean conflict. It is a symbol 
of the community's respect and honor for those who have made the 
ultimate sacrifice in defense of their nation and liberty.
  I am a proud defender of the Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial. Our 
Founding Fathers made sure the government did not impose one religion 
on all people. They also believed religion plays an important role in 
public life and individuals should be able to freely practice what they 
believe.
  That is why it is so important to pass the War Memorial Protection 
Act. This bill does not favor one religion over another and it does not 
make any exclusions. This bill seeks to ensure that religious symbols 
can also be part of war memorials honoring our fallen heroes.
  Mr. Speaker, again I urge passage of H.R. 290.

                          ____________________