Memorializes Congress to propose constitutional amendment prohibiting the physical desecration of American flag.

SCR69

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 69

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED JANUARY 28, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� CARMEN F. AMATO, JR.

District 9 (Ocean)

SYNOPSIS

���� Memorializes Congress to propose constitutional
amendment prohibiting the physical desecration of American flag.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A
Concurrent Resolution
memorializing the Congress of the United States to propose an amendment to the United States Constitution, for ratification
by the states, providing that Congress and the states shall have the power to
prohibit the physical desecration of the American flag.

Whereas,
There are cherished
national symbols, such as the Washington Monument, the United States Capitol
Building, and the Lincoln Memorial, which belong to every American and which
should be protected from desecration and dishonor; and

Whereas,
The American flag is not
only such a symbol but is also an integral part of this nation's history and
spirit; and

Whereas,
Our flag was born in the
struggle for independence that began with "The Shot Heard Round the
World" in Concord, Massachusetts; and

Whereas,
During the War of 1812, the
American flag symbolized the stand of a young and brave nation against foreign
invasion and inspired our national anthem; and

Whereas,
During World War II, the
Stars and Stripes was the banner that led American forces against fascist
imperialism, from the depths of Pearl Harbor to the heights of Iwo Jima and
from defeat in North Africa's Kasserine Pass to victory in the streets of Hitler's
Germany; and

Whereas,
Old Glory symbolizes the
ideals for which good and decent people fought and died in Vietnam,
often suffering cruel condemnation at home in that effort; and

Whereas,
Our flag stands for the
democratic values which were advanced in the struggle for civil rights for all
Americans; and

Whereas,
The American flag was
carried to the moon as a banner of goodwill, vision, and triumph on behalf of
all mankind; and

Whereas,
The American flag is the
honorable and worthy banner of a nation which is thankful for its strengths,
committed to curing its faults, and which still remains the beacon of hope for
millions of immigrants attracted by the American dream; and

Whereas,
The United States Supreme
Court has mistakenly decided to take away from the Stars and Stripes the
protection and respect which it deserves; and

Whereas,
The right of free speech
was never intended to mean that our flag should be subjected to desecration and
dishonor under the guise of freedom of expression; and

Whereas,
The House of
Representatives has passed a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to
authorize a ban on the physical desecration of the American flag in at least
four sessions, but the Senate has repeatedly defeated the resolution; and

Whereas,
Over the years, many state
legislatures have urged Congress to pass such a resolution to amend the
Constitution and allow laws which ban the desecration of the American flag; and

Whereas,
It is most appropriate for
this House, and for people in every state, to call on the United States
Congress, to protect Old Glory under the laws of the federal and state
governments; now, therefore,

����
Be It Resolved
by the Senate of the State of New
Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):

���� 1.��� The Congress of the United
States is respectfully memorialized to propose an amendment to the United
States Constitution, for ratification by the states, providing that Congress
and the states shall have the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the
flag of the United States.

���� 2.��� Copies of this
resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the
Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the
Vice-President of the United States, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the
United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House
of Representatives, and every member of Congress elected thereto from this
State.

STATEMENT

���� This concurrent resolution
memorializes the Congress of the United States to propose an amendment to the
United States Constitution, for ratification by the states, providing that
Congress and the states shall have the power to prohibit the physical desecration
of the American flag.