National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019

Floor Speech

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Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, Last year, just a few miles down the road in Virginia, a disabled World War II veteran, Richard Cohen, woke up to his burned American flag on his doorstep. Let me say that again. Richard Cohen, who was wounded by German machinegun fire while defending our freedom in World War II, woke up to his American flag desecrated on his doorstep.

Unfortunately, this is just one of many astonishing stories of our American flag being ruined. In fact, since 2014, there have been 50 known offensive acts of American flag burning. That is 50 times that our symbol of freedom--that thousands of Americans have paid the ultimate sacrifice for--was destroyed.

That is why I am here today, Flag Day, to speak about my constitutional amendment that would prohibit the burning of the American flag. The colors of the flag--red, white, and blue--symbolize valor, purity, and perseverance. The American flag represents our Nation's history and the character of our Nation's Founding Fathers.

Beginning with those Founding Fathers, the American flag represents the patriotism and dedication of men and women who fought to defend our Nation's freedom when our country was founded more than 200 years ago today. Thousands of brave and selfless men and women have given their lives in sacrifice and service to our country and in defense of our flag.

That is why I have introduced this constitutional amendment to provide Congress with the authority to prohibit burning of the American flag. Our flag should be protected in honor of the countless American servicemembers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend it.

It is no wonder, by overwhelming majorities, our veterans and organizations like the American Legion support this because they have been on the frontlines defending our freedom.

Our veterans are the best example of why America is still the greatest country on Earth and why our freedoms and our liberties are worth defending.

In the words of that World War II veteran Richard Cohen, ``I served under that flag and I bled for it, really, and it was a personal affront.''

The American flag has been a symbol of hope, a symbol of freedom for centuries, and it ought to be respected. On this day, Flag Day, may God continue to bless our troops, our veterans, and this great United States of America.

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