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                                                      PRINTER'S NO. 2349

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


HOUSE RESOLUTION

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.
















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