PRINTER'S NO. 1367
No. 88 Session of 1989
INTRODUCED BY ROCKS, SALVATORE, TILGHMAN, WENGER, BRIGHTBILL,
HOPPER, JUBELIRER, LOEPER, BELL, MADIGAN, SHAFFER, PETERSON,
SHUMAKER, CORMAN, GREENWOOD, FISHER, PUNT, BAKER, PECORA,
RHOADES, LEMMOND, HESS, WILT, HELFRICK, ARMSTRONG, HOLL,
GREENLEAF AND O'PAKE, JUNE 27, 1989
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, JUNE 27, 1989
A RESOLUTION
1 Memorializing Congress to propose a Constitutional amendment to
2 authorize a prohibition against flag desecration.
3 WHEREAS, Since Revolutionary times, the American flag has
4 been an honored emblem chosen to symbolize our nation; and
5 WHEREAS, Like our nation itself, the American flag represents
6 the dedication and courage of all who have worked, sacrificed
7 and given their lives to establish and preserve this nation and
8 the American way of life; and
9 WHEREAS, As an expression of the public's profound sense of
10 outrage at acts of desecration toward this national symbol to
11 which we offer a "Pledge of Allegiance," the Commonwealth of
12 Pennsylvania, 47 other states, and the Federal Government have
13 enacted laws prohibiting and punishing flag desecration; and
14 WHEREAS, The United States Supreme Court, by a vote of five
15 to four, rendered a decision on June 21, 1989, which effectively
16 held unconstitutional these state and Federal laws prohibiting
1 flag desecration; therefore be it
2 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
3 memorialize Congress to vote to propose an amendment to the
4 Constitution of the United States in order to authorize state
5 and Federal governments to enact laws prohibiting and setting
6 penalties for flag desecration; and be it further
7 RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
8 the presiding officers of each house of Congress and to each
9 member of Congress from Pennsylvania.
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