Dear Senator Daines,
I am writing this letter on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our strong support of S.J. Res. 49, which would amend the Constitution to give Congress the power to prohibit the physical desecration of our nation’s flag.
Attempts by Congress to protect the flag statutorily have failed to withstand previous judicial reviews. The Supreme Court has, in two narrow 5-4 decisions, overturned statutes prohibiting the physical desecration of the flag. Amending the Constitution is the only way to return to the American people the right to protect their flag.
Flag burning is not free speech; it is an act of vandalism. What is the difference in the political statement made by a vandal torching the American flag and a terrorist who makes his political statement by attacking law enforcement officers or other government employees? Quite simply, there is no difference. The American people recognize that, and Congress ought to recognize it by passing this amendment.
When we bury a hero, a brother or sister from the ranks of our military or our police departments, a flag is draped over the casket. It is folded solemnly and presented to the surviving members of the family in remembrance of the one who gave his or her life. Whether a soldier fighting a foreign enemy on a foreign shore, or a law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty–the sacrifice of each is symbolized by the flag. To desecrate this symbol is to dishonor that sacrifice. To use freedom or liberty as a shield to commit a crime demonstrates a very real misunderstanding of the American concept of liberty.
I salute you for your sponsorship of Senate Joint Resolution 49, and pledge to work with you to see that the Congress adopts this amendment to protect our flag from those who would dishonor our nation and its heroes.
If we can be of any further assistance to you in moving this bill forward, please do not hesitate to contact me or Jim Pasco, Executive Director to the National President, in my Washington office.
Chuck Canterbury
National President