WASHINGTON,
D.C. -- I rise today in opposition to H. J. Res. 4, an amendment
to the Constitution of the United States to authorize Congress to prohibit
the desecration of the flag. This amendment not only stands in stark
contrast to what the flag represents, but this debate today is keeping
the House from addressing more urgent matters facing our country.
The
flag is a symbol of American greatness. It inspires awe and pride
and is the official emblem of our nation. And, above all, it stands
for freedom; the freedom we are guaranteed by being lucky enough to live
in America. Ironically, this amendment would punish those who exercise
that freedom. In our country, dissenting views are allowed and tolerated,
even expressions as offensive as flag desecration. To take away this
fundamental freedom of expression is to dishonor the flag and the liberty
it represents.
Furthermore,
this amendment is uncalled for. At this time when there are so many
issues that this House should be addressing – when American soldiers continue
to die every day in Iraq, when millions of low-income families are being
left behind by the Republican Congress and the Bush Administration, when
seniors across America can’t afford their prescription drugs and millions
more lack any health care coverage, and when millions of schoolchildren
lack such basic resources as textbooks and safe classrooms – the House
is instead debating a bill that is unnecessary, shroud in controversy,
vague, and, if passed, would undermine our democracy.
Webster’s
dictionary defines “desecrate” as “violating the sanctity of” and “treating
disrespectfully, irreverently, or outrageously.” This bill does not
specifically define “desecration.” Therefore, if the amendment were
to be passed, we would then be forced to discuss whether flag desecration
included printing the flag on clothing or dropping small plastic flags
on the ground after parades; we would have to discuss if the “protected
flags” had size regulations or had to be made of specific material; we
would have to decide if flags on personal property were “protected”; and
on and on. These debates are unnecessary. Instead of debating
what freedoms we should be infringing upon and taking away, this House
of Representatives should be doing everything it can to protect people’s
freedoms, especially our freedom of speech, and be working toward solutions
to the problems that plague our constituents every day. |