On the recordJune 12, 1997
I would also like to say to him and to others that express his opinion, we have in this country 49 States, 11 more than the 38 needed for ratification, that have called on Congress to submit a constitutional amendment protecting the American flag against physical desecration. We would be clearly lacking in our representation of the American people if we in this body deny it. So those Members of Congress that come from those 49 States where they have asked for ratification, it is on their conscience if they vote against this. Mr. Speaker, when I think about this issue I am reminded of Theodore Roosevelt when he once said, ``There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism.'' I feel that desecration of this flag is a dishonor to over 1 million men and women who have died defending this country.
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