Your First Amendment rights are very close to being violated by none other than the United States Congress. I am referring to the Flag Desecration Bill which, if passed, would irreparably damage our right to free speech and undermine the very principles on which the American flag was founded. Fortunately, West Virginians have an ally in Senator Robert C. Byrd. Senator Byrd, who was previously in favor of the bill, is now fighting to protect our rights by blocking the passage of this bill. I applaud his stance and want to strengthen his position. I also encourage you to join Senator Byrd's campaign to ensure the legacy and supremacy of the greatest law in the land: the Constitution of the United States. Although the Senate expects to vote on this amendment before the 105th Congress adjourns this fall, this is not the solution and the first time such a bill has been introduced in Congress. Nonetheless, this is the closest it has ever come to actually passing through both Houses. The Citizens Flag Alliance recorded that the House passed the flag protection resolution by a vote of 310-144 on June 12, 1997 (internet). In February the proposal was then sent to the Senate for a vote. Is there any possibility that such a law could pass the Senate? According to Daniel S. Webster, president of the Citizens Flag Alliance, as many as 64 senators have already pledged to vote "yes" on the amendment (internet). The Constitution states that only 67 votes are needed to propose the amendment to state legislatures. If 38 state legislatures approve the proposed amendment, they will ratify the Constitution (Wilson). According to the Citizens Flag Alliance, 49 states have already passed the resolution (internet). With such a narrow margin, those senators who oppose the legislation need...... middle of paper ......imony/ct-rp043097.html>."Flag supporters press Senate to protect old glory." Citizens Flag Alliance. (4 August 1998).26 September 1998 .Goldstein, Robert. "This flag is not to be burned." Nation. July 7, 1994: 84.Henderson, Christine. Personal interview. October 1, 1998.Ketter, William. "Fold the amendment on the flag or rights will fly at half-mast." ChristianScience Tracking. October 13, 1995: 19.Kreul, Keith. “The Pseudo Patriotism of the Flag Amendment.” Christian Science Monitor.June 11, 1998: 11. "Senate Subcommittee Approves Resolution SJ 40." Citizens Flag Alliance. (June 18, 1998).September 26, 1998.Wilson, James, et. al. American Government: The Essentials. 7th ed. Boston: HoughtonMifflin Company, 1998.