T. Gorton: “With some hesitancy I will vote in favor of the flag protection constitutional amendment. My hesitancy stems not from…”

“With some hesitancy I will vote in favor of the flag protection constitutional amendment. My hesitancy stems not from any doubt that our Nation should provide specially protected status to our flag--I firmly believe the flag should be protected from desecration. I am hesitant because we are voting to amend our Nation's Constitution and every Senator should exercise extreme caution when considering such changes. I have given careful consideration on the important amendment currently before the Senate. A decade ago, when the Supreme Court issued its 5-to-4 decision invalidating flag desecration statutes, I read each of the three opinions filed by Justices of the Court. I was convinced then, and remain convinced now, that the Court erred in its decision and that such statutes, if properly written, are constitutional. For this reason, I shall vote in favor of both the constitutional amendment to protect our flag and the proposed amendment to substitute a flag protection statute for the constitutional amendment.”