Roger Marshall: “I rise today as a law professor who fiercely believes in the first amendment, but I am also the son and grandson of Army…”

“I rise today as a law professor who fiercely believes in the first amendment, but I am also the son and grandson of Army generals and a veteran of ground combat in Vietnam. I accept the argument that I, my father, my grandfather, other relatives, many of whom were wounded, some of whom died, did not fight for a piece of cloth, but rather for what it symbolizes. Yet our memories and emotions are inextricably intertwined with that cloth itself. And the cloth symbolizes a country whose Constitution is not writ in stone, immutable for all time. Instead, our Constitution establishes a process for its amendment. Mr. Speaker, no harm or violence is done here to our constitutional system by an amendment designed to respect the memories and emotions that are inextricably interwoven with the cloth of our flag. In fact, I believe that respecting those memories and emotions nourishes a vital spirit in this country, the spirit of individual sacrifice in combat for the good of the country. Our country's great freedoms were won and enjoyed today because of the selfless sacrifices of countless, often nameless, sometimes unknown heroes. Amending the Constitution to prohibit flag desecration is a small way to thank these individuals who cannot be thanked enough. And this amendment is a small price to pay if it strengthens our Republic and helps ensure its future.”