Weekly Column:   –  Few things give me such a terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach like seeing the American flag desecrated.  Because it is such a powerful symbol of American liberty, the proper, honorable and respectful treatment of the flag is a core part of our patriotism.  Those who would stoop to desecrate the flag shallowly misunderstand its importance to our nation, and they denigrate the very protections in our Constitution which make us free.

Because court decisions have upheld the practice of burning or otherwise desecrating the American flag, a constitutional amendment is necessary to codify the protection of our national banner.

I’m proud to have introduced a bipartisan article of legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives which will accomplish just that – help create a constitutional amendment protecting the American flag.

Throughout the history of our nation, when American troops go into battle, they do so with our flag stitched on their sleeves and flying overhead.  When they fall on that field of battle, those brave Americans come home draped in the flag.  Our commitment to our service members and our veterans is an honor-bound contract in red, white and blue.

In the past, similar attempts to amend the U.S. Constitution to protect the flag have fallen short due to congressional inaction.  Meanwhile, Americans must bear the ultimate affront to our nation when the flag is degraded.  Yes, freedom of speech is an inviolate provision of the First Amendment, but there is no constitutional protection for hate speech.  Desecrating the American flag is a grave injury to every American and a direct insult to every American who has served, today serves, or someday will serve our country.

There is no better gift to the surviving members of the Greatest Generation than to etch into the laws of our land this protection of the flag. 

In the coming weeks and months, members of the American Legion, chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, auxiliaries and service organizations across the state and throughout the country will take up this cause.  Everyday citizens will get behind it, too, and I will be working to advance this cause in the U.S. Congress.

A constitutional amendment will end the question of whether or not flag desecration should be protected in our nation.  That issue was most recently posed in 1989, when the Supreme Court invalidated flag protection laws in 48 states and the District of Columbia.  Since then, all 50 states have passed memorializing resolutions asking Congress to pass a constitutional amendment and send it to the states for ratification. 

I hope this Congress can give the states what they are asking for: an opportunity to restore the sanctity of the American flag.  Over the long course of our nation’s history, millions of Americans have fought beneath our flag.  Today, we have a chance to fight for our flag, and for them.”