Calvert Votes to Protect the American Flag from Vandalism

Calvert Votes to Protect the American Flag from Vandalism

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (R-Corona) voted in support of H.J. Res. 10 which would amend the United States Constitution to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag.

"The flag holds as many meanings as there are individuals who admire Old Glory as our nation's symbol," said Rep. Calvert. "For many, the flag is a symbol of liberty, freedom and of the price that has been paid for the way that we live. The flag reminds us, everyday, what is means to be an American; to be able to come from the most desperate circumstances and to have the opportunity to work and achieve our dreams, whatever they may be."

During the Vietnam conflict, in response to the numerous flag burnings by protestors, Congress enacted the first Federal Flag Protection Act. This protection was overturned in 1989 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a lower court reversal of the decision in Johnson vs. Texas in which a man was charged, tried and convicted with the desecration of the flag in violation with Texas statute. That decision ruled that the flag protection statutes of 47 states and the federal statute could not be applied to a flag burning that was part of a public demonstration. Since that time, various other attempts have been made to prohibit the desecration of the flag.

An amendment of the Constitution requires a two-thirds majority of each House and the amendment would then go to the states for ratification. After the submission of the ratification, three-fourths of the states must accept the amendment within seven years.

"The desecration of the flag is an affront to all those who have sacrificed their lives for this country," stated Rep. Calvert. "It is not an act of free speech but an act of desperation to insight anger in order to divide people. Banning the physical desecration of the flag in no way prohibits the ability of the America people to express themselves freely but, rather, ensures that a sacred symbol of our history and heritage is preserved and guarded from desperate acts of vandalism."

http://calvert.house.gov/pressreleases.asp?ARTICLE4024=9708