[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14420]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



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

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                               speech of

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 24, 1999

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.J. 
Res. 33, a proposed Amendment to the Constitution of the United States 
to ban the desecration of the Flag. I feel this amendment runs contra 
to the spirit of America's Founding Fathers. When the British sought to 
oppress the colonies, they attacked the ability to speak freely, they 
sought to snuff out any different opinions, snuff out that which makes 
a democracy strong. From this blatant oppression came the impetus for 
the first Amendment, our Founding Fathers felt so strongly that we 
should be able to speak our mind regarding political process they 
embedded the right in our Constitution's Bill of Rights. Now, after 200 
years, they seek to change this cherished principle.
  I love my flag, but I love it for what it stands for and the 
principles it represents. People have died for the principles the flag 
represents, not for the cloth which it is made. Burn the symbol of our 
country, tear it up, and we only become stronger, more dedicated to the 
principles the flag represents. An attack against our flag is really an 
affirmation of our Nation and all that we as a people stand for.
  Our courts told us burning the flag is a protected form of free 
speech and we must respect this. The American Flag is an exceptional 
symbol of an extraordinary nation that has protected personal liberty 
for more than 200 years. We must recognize that the flag is an icon, 
only an icon, and our beliefs and principles are the rock on that we 
stand.

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