Sen. Jeff Sessions Announces Passage of Bill to Protect Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial

Sen. Jeff Sessions Announces Passage Of Bill To Protect Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial

U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) announced today that the Senate has passed legislation that would preserve the Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial in San Diego by transferring possession of the monument to the federal government.

"After years of legal challenges, I was glad to see the Senate join the House of Representatives in approving legislation that will put an end to the litigation under the California constitution by transferring the memorial to the federal government," Sessions said. "The Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial has sadly come under attack by the ACLU because it contains a cross commemorating fallen soldiers. Our nation has a long history and tradition of memorializing members of the armed forces who die in battle with a cross or other religious emblems of faith. This memorial has stood since 1954, and I'm glad that Congress has stepped up to ensure that the monument remains intact as a tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in defense of our country."

Sessions and U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), who is chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, introduced companion bills to transfer the monument to the federal government. Sessions is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. The legislation would direct the Secretary of Defense to manage the property while the Mount Soledad Memorial Association would be responsible for maintenance.

The memorial has been under attack by the ACLU for more than 15 years due to the monument's 29-foot cross honoring the lives of fallen soldiers. A federal judge has ordered the City of San Diego to remove the cross in the middle of the memorial or be fined $5,000 a day because the California constitution stipulates that the government give no preference or aid to one religion over another.

A California Superior Court judge overturned a special election in which 76 percent of voters elected to transfer the Mount Soledad National War Memorial to the federal government. Once the memorial is officially federal land, it will not be susceptible to continued litigation under California's constitution.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy has issued an indefinite stay to put off any fines against the city until the issue has moved through the judicial system.

The bill now goes to the White House, where President Bush is expected to sign it into law.

http://sessions.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=260449