
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 7, 1990                   TAG: 9003071593
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                 LENGTH: Short

GOP LAWMAKERS URGE FLAG AMENDMENT

Six Republican lawmakers on Tuesday urged renewal of the drive for a constitutional amendment to outlaw burning the American flag, saying the statutory ban passed last year appears certain to be overturned in the courts.

"Maybe it doesn't bother people around here a lot . . . but out there in the real world they're ready for a constitutional amendment," Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole, R-Kan., told a news conference.

A U.S. district court in the nation's capital ruled Monday that the statutory ban on burning the American flag approved by Congress last year is not a constitutional way to limit free speech. A federal court in Seattle issued a similar ruling last month.

The Justice Department said Tuesday that it would appeal the rulings. But the Republican lawmakers said it appeared probable that the Supreme Court would uphold the decisions.

The sponsors sought to avoid language that singled out protesters.

Instead, they fashioned what they called a simple, "content neutral" ban on destruction of the flag, which they said had nothing to do with freedom of speech. They hoped in this way to survive a court challenge to the legislation.

by CNB