04/02/2002 03:40 PM Senate STA

                                                                                                                                
                 HJR 30-DESECRATION OF U.S. FLAG                                                                            
                                                                                                                              
CHAIRMAN THERRIAULT  announced the  prime sponsor,  Representative                                                              
Pete Kott,  was not  available and  he asked  Senator Phillips  to                                                              
introduce the resolution.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS explained  this was a resolution requesting                                                              
the United  States Congress to pass  House Joint Resolution  36 or                                                              
Senate  Joint Resolution  7,  which  would prohibit  the  physical                                                              
desecration of the United States flag.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
GARY BARRY  testified he  is a past  department commander  for the                                                              
American Legion  and they  have spent the  last five or  six years                                                              
trying to  get this measure passed  through the U.S.  Congress. He                                                              
expressed  strong support  for  the resolution.  The  flag of  the                                                              
United States of America should be treated with respect.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
GENE DAU, Legislative Officer for  Veteran's of Foreign Wars (VFW)                                                              
Post 5559, testified  in support of the resolution.  He was taught                                                              
to  respect and  protect  the U.S.  flag and  sees  no reason  for                                                              
people to treat it any differently today.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
JIM ROUTSALA  testified  in support  of HJR 30;  his feelings  are                                                              
similar to  Mr. Dau's. He is the  Commander of VFW Taku  Post 5559                                                              
and is representing  the 204 members who also support  HJR 30. The                                                              
U.S. flag is a symbol of America and should not be desecrated.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
There was no further testimony.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
There was  no proposed CS  and no amendments.  There was  one zero                                                              
fiscal note.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR PHILLIPS made a motion to  move HJR 30 and attached fiscal                                                              
note from committee with individual recommendations.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
There being no objection, HJR 30 moved from committee.