Records on [Flag Protection Act of 1989]

The materials in FOIA 2004-1280-F are a selective, not necessarily all inclusive, body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials. FOIA 2004-1280-F contains materials related to the debate sparked by the Supreme Court ruling Texas v. Johnson (1989), in which the Court struck down the Texas statute against burning the flag of the United States and ruled that such an action is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. 2004-1280-F 1 White House Office of Records Management (WHORM) Subject File categories primarily contain resolutions denouncing Texas v. Johnson from city and state governments and civic organizations throughout the United States. The WHORM Alphabetical Files contain correspondence from constituents voicing their opposition to and displeasure with the Court's ruling as well as their support for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibiting desecration of the flag and/ or a Federal statute with the same aim. The Staff and Office Files consist primarily of tally sheets tracking the volume of correspondence relative to various issues important to the Administration. In addition are memoranda, correspondence, and reports concerning the proposed language for an amendment prohibiting flag burning by the Bush Administration and U.S. legislators as well as that for the statutory language of the House and Senate versions of the Flag Protection Act of 1989 (H. R. 2978 and S. 1338, respectively); copies of the Texas v. Johnson decision; transcripts of the Congressional testimony of Assistant Attorney General William Barr and Professor Laurence Tribe; White House News Summaries/ newspaper and magazine clippings related to the issue; and transcripts of press conferences and press releases. Read less