That service included two tours in Vietnam during which I was shot down over enemy territory. A nation as ethnically and culturally diverse as the United States needs an emblem to unify around. That rallying point is the American flag. It is not an exaggeration that I and thousands of others placed our lives in danger because of the beauty and significance embodied by the American flag. Mr. Chairman, it is wrong to permit these type of acts.
Flag desecration sends a disturbing and misleading message to our young folks.
The most frequent argument I've heard against a constitutional amendment protecting the American flag is that an amendment will infringe on the cherish guarantee of free speech. Congress and the courts have placed reasonable restrictions on speech when deemed appropriate. It is interesting to note that we have found this practice to be helpful and necessary on the hallow floor of the U.S. Congress where opposing views are battled daily. As a general rule, those who wish to desecrate the American flag do so as an act of defiance. They seek to draw attention to themselves or their issue in order to make a point.