Posted on 01/11/2002 7:51:13 AM PST by callisto
To: National Desk
Contact: Mary Kay Rutledge of the Citizens Flag Alliance,
317-630-1384; Web site: http://www.cfa-inc.org/
INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 11 /U.S. Newswire/ -- After years of political hardball, a determined group of Vermont legislators stepped to the plate Thursday and hit a home run for flag protection.
JRS 9, a joint resolution calling for an amendment to the United States Constitution that would allow Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag, passed both chambers of the Vermont state legislature. The measure urges Congress to explore "all avenues available, which may include a constitutional amendment" to protect the U.S. flag from physical desecration.
With this action Vermont becomes the 50th state to formally call on Congress, by resolution, to propose a flag amendment and send it to the states for ratification.
"We deeply admire the courage of Vermonters for having labored over a decade to finally win this day," said Major General Patrick H. Brady, chairman of the Board of the Citizens Flag Alliance, a coalition of more than 140 organizations that have championed flag protection since 1994. "Their success is attributable to their persistence in doing what is right, the same persistence that will move the flag amendment off Capitol Hill and back to state legislatures where, once and for all, the people will have the final say on legal protection for their flag."
Brady said that he hoped Congress hears the voice of the people in Vermont and across the Nation. "With the level of patriotism what it is today, it is inconceivable to me that the Senate will continue to thwart the will of the people. There are few issues today that enjoy the degree of support of the flag amendment. There is no other issue on Capitol Hill that has the endorsement of 80 percent of the American people, an overwhelming majority in both the U.S. House and Senate, and 100 percent of the state legislatures."
The issue has traveled the nation. It has been debated in every chamber of every state's legislature, every one of which has moved favorably in their call for the amendment, noted Brady. "Every state's legislature has taken the matter through a similar winding process of introductions, cosponsorship, hearings, debates, and votes. And everyone has come to the same conclusion: The people of the United States deserve the right to decide if they want to protect Old Glory."
With passage of the flag protection amendment (HJ Res. 36) in the House of Representatives last July, Brady offered, "it's time for the Senate to listen to the people and approve the proposed flag amendment. Then, let's hear from the people across America as the amendment is debated in ratification."
------ Maj. Gen. Patrick Brady (USA-Ret.) is the chairman of the Indianapolis-based Citizens Flag Alliance (CFA). The CFA is a broad-based national coalition of 142 organizations committed to seeking passage of a constitutional amendment which would return to the American people the right to protect their flag. Brady was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service in the Vietnam War during which time he rescued over 5,000 casualties of war.
It's really sad that someone like that should turn around and try to shit on the very freedoms he was supposedly trying to protect.
I personally would never, ever be tempted to burn the American flag, there is no greater disrespect to this nation and the people who fought and died for the freedoms you enjoy now, then to Desecrate the Flag, by any means. While I am sure it means very little to you, you (sir/Madam) just lost any respect I could ever feel for you.
God Bless America
Seconded!
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