Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial Protection Act
MT. SOLEDAD VETERANS MEMORIAL PROTECTION ACT -- (House of Representatives - July 19, 2006)
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this acquisition by the Federal Government, because it is so consistent with how we as Americans have honored our war dead and those who have given in service to our country.
I just want to point out for a moment a picture of Mt. Soledad, of the actual cross, and then, Mr. Speaker, as you look at pictures of the other Federal sites, the amazing thing is how similar they are. These are sites which are not contested. They are not contested because our Founding Fathers didn't want the establishment of a religion, but they didn't want a godless society; just the opposite, they wanted a freedom for people to observe their God as they chose fit. Particularly when we deal with those who have fallen in support of this country, they should be free to honor them with or without symbols that they find comfort in.
I think, Mr. Speaker, as we consider this important piece of legislation, I think it is important that we realize that that cross is about men and women who have given their lives and a symbol that says they gave their life for their country. It is an arbitrary symbol, but it is not a symbol without meaning. It stands, like those crosses in faraway lands of Americans who fell in Tripoli, Americans who were buried at Normandy, and of Americans who have never been returned home from the sea. It stands as a symbol of their passing and their sacrifice.
Mt. Soledad, no one ever doubted that this was a war memorial. No one ever doubted that. In fact, people found comfort in this symbol to those men and women in San Diego, the home of both Marines and Navy, for more than 100 years. No one ever found that this was inappropriate to honor our dead. What they found was one person, one out of 2 million people, who said, I am offended, I want no cross. It offends me.
Mr. Speaker, the definition of offensive language and offensive behavior and signs like the swastikas and other symbols of hate are just that. They are unique symbols that people have no doubt are designed to offend.
This cross was never intended to offend. Just the opposite; it was intended to do what it does for the vast majority of San Diegans and people who come to our fair city. It honors our war veterans for the sacrifice they made. That is the symbolism it has. That is the reason that hundreds of thousands of people climb that hill every year to spend a moment to look at the cross, but, more importantly, to look at the pictures of the men and women throughout the lower part of this memorial who, in fact, are there on plaques to be observed and remembered for their sacrifice.
I ask full support of this resolution.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
http://thomas.loc.gov/