Mount Soledad Cross

MOUNT SOLEDAD CROSS -- (Senate - July 27, 2006)

Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I would like to express my strong support for passage of H.R. 5683, legislation passed by the House last week to preserve the Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial in Diego, CA. I want to associate myself with the comments made by my colleague, Senator SESSIONS. He and I both have introduced legislation similar to H.R. 5683 and I am pleased that Senator GRAHAM also has joined us in advocating a legislative solution to this important matter.

Since 1913, a series of crosses have stood on top of Mount Soledad, property owned by the city of San Diego. In April of 1954, the site was designated to commemorate the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces who served in World War II, as well as the Korean war.

In 1989, one individual filed suit against the city claiming that the display of the cross by the city was unconstitutional and, therefore, violated his civil rights. In 1991, a Federal judge issued an injunction prohibiting the permanent display of the cross on city property. Since that time, the city has repeatedly tried to divest itself of the property through sale or donation. But the plaintiff continued to mount legal challenges to every attempted property transfer. The legal wrangling over this memorial continues today.

The Mount Soledad Memorial is a remarkably popular landmark. In fact, I had the pleasure of visiting the Memorial during the Fourth of July recess and can personally attest to the profound impression it can leave on its visitors.

It is also of great importance to the local community. On two different occasions, the voters of San Diego have overwhelming passed ballot measures designed to transfer the property to entities which could maintain the cross. Given the many years of legal disputes regarding this memorial, I believe it is past time that this issue be resolved.

The bill that we are seeking to pass would bring the Mount Soledad cross under the control of the Federal Government, and specifically, the Department of Defense and would allow for the just compensation for the property in question. It also would address the required maintenance for the memorial and the surrounding property through a memorandum of understanding between the Secretary of Defense and the Mount Soledad Memorial Association. The minimal financial commitment required in this legislation will ensure the endurance of this memorial which serves as a reminder of the hundreds of thousands of men and women who made enormous sacrifices when our country called upon them.

I understand the bill has cleared on our side, and that we are awaiting for the other side to allow its approval. I can only hope that all of my colleagues will join us in supporting this legislation, and ensure the preservation of an important tribute to our men and women of the Armed Forces.

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