Wicker: Flag Flap Produces Victory for Religious Freedom

Statement

WICKER: FLAG FLAP PRODUCES VICTORY FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

The Architect of the U.S. Capitol was forced to reverse course last week after receiving a flood of criticism for administering a policy that prohibited references to God from being printed on certificates accompanying flags flown over the Capitol.

At a time when even the most benign acts of religious expression are under attack in the public domain, this decision represents a victory for the principles of religious freedom on which our country was founded.

A LONG-STANDING TRADITION

For more than 70 years, thousands of Americans have taken advantage of this constituent service by asking their Congressional representatives to fly flags over the Capitol to honor loved ones, fallen soldiers, or celebrate wide-ranging noteworthy achievements. I receive dozens of flag requests from Mississippians each year. The flags come with a certificate of authenticity that denotes when they were flown and often includes personal messages of tribute or congratulations.

It was one of those routine requests from an Eagle Scout in Ohio that brought this flawed policy to light. The teenager asked U.S. Representative Michael Turner to fly a flag honoring the young man's grandfather. The original text on the accompanying certificate thanked him for "his dedication and love of God, country, and family." But when the flag and certificate were returned to Rep. Turner's office, the word "God" had been deleted from the text.

ACTION SPURRED OUTCRY

When pressed for an explanation, the Architect's Office responded that "God" was stricken from the message because religious expressions were not permitted on flag certificates. That news generated a widespread outcry that it was a wrong-headed decision and raised questions about the Architect's authority to impose such a restriction.

Some critics pointed out that the policy was especially puzzling coming from the office that oversees the Capitol complex, whose rooms contain other religious references and symbols. The words "In God We Trust" are in prominent view in both the House and Senate chambers. Each session of Congress begins with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, which notes that we are "one nation, under God."

Under growing public pressure, the Architect's Office announced a change in procedure. In a press statement, the Architect said the policy had been inconsistently applied and that it is "beyond the scope of this agency's responsibilities to censor messages from Members of Congress." The Architect said his office's role in the future will be to simply ensure that flags are appropriately flown over the Capitol.

AN IMMEDIATE CHANGE

The Architect went on to say that when one of their policies doesn't serve the American public effectively, it needs to be changed immediately. This was one such policy.

I have joined in cosponsoring legislation offered by Rep. Turner that would direct the Architect to accept inscriptions and messages for flag certificates that include the acknowledgement of God. The bill would make this policy permanent and take away the opportunity for a different interpretation by future Architects of the Capitol.

Source