PRINTER'S NO. 2349
No. 174 Session of 1989
INTRODUCED BY McHALE, HAYDEN, ROBBINS, HAYES, TIGUE, BROUJOS, FREIND, CHADWICK, FREEMAN, GRUPPO, PRESSMANN, TELEK, MAINE, BLAUM, O'BRIEN, MICHLOVIC, McVERRY, LINTON, MILLER, CAWLEY, WOGAN, McNALLY, WASS, RUDY, DeWEESE, THOMAS, WILLIAMS, MRKONIC, BORTNER, KOSINSKI, CALTAGIRONE, BLACK, RYBAK, VEON, WAMBACH, McCALL, LAUGHLIN, MELIO, FLICK, TANGRETTI, PETRARCA, LUCYK, OLIVER, RITTER, BATTISTO, CAPPABIANCA, JADLOWIEC, LEVDANSKY AND D. R. WRIGHT, JUNE 29, 1989
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, JUNE 29, 1989
A RESOLUTION 1 Expressing the House of Representatives' profound sense of 2 outrage at acts of desecration directed toward the American 3 Flag. 4 WHEREAS, The American Flag is the preeminent world symbol of 5 democratic ideals and individual liberty; and 6 WHEREAS, The American Flag has, in times of peace and war, 7 come to uniquely symbolize the national character of our nation 8 and the democratic ideals of our people; and 9 WHEREAS, The American Flag has on many occasions been carried 10 forward in battle by brave young Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and 11 Marines, often at an unspeakable cost in blood, lives and 12 individual sacrifice; and 13 WHEREAS, The American Flag steadfastly reflects our national 14 commitment to social justice, political equality and due process 15 of law; therefore be it
1 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 2 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania declare that the desecration of the 3 American Flag is a cowardly and reprehensible act inconsistent 4 with informed and intelligent debate within our democratic 5 society; and be it further 6 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 7 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania declares that the desecration of 8 the American Flag is an insult to every American of every 9 generation who has ever worn a uniform in defense of our country 10 and its democratic principles; and be it further 11 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 12 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania declares that anyone who would act 13 to desecrate the American Flag is deserving of strong and 14 unequivocal condemnation; and be it further 15 RESOLVED, That is the patriotic duty of every American to 16 honor our flag in conformity with constitutionally protected 17 principles of religious freedom, to defend the ideals which it 18 symbolizes, and to seek social change, when appropriate, through 19 the peaceful means of the democratic process; and be it further 20 RESOLVED, That anyone who unlawfully seizes public or private 21 property for the purpose of desecrating the American Flag should 22 be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the criminal law; and be 23 it further 24 RESOLVED, That anyone who desecrates or burns the American 25 Flag in a manner constituting a clear and present danger to 26 public health and safety should be prosecuted to the fullest 27 extent of the criminal law; and be it further 28 RESOLVED, That the Governor and the Attorney General be urged 29 to take any and all appropriate action necessary to encourage 30 respect for the American Flag, lawful protection of public and 19890H0174R2349 - 2 -
1 private property, and necessary criminal prosecution of anyone 2 who, in the act of desecrating the American Flag, creates a 3 clear and present danger to public health and safety; and be it 4 further 5 RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 6 the Governor, the Attorney General and to each member of 7 Congress from Pennsylvania. F29L82JRW/19890H0174R2349 - 3 -