June 25, 1990, page S8641: I intend to vote against this particular amendment and all other constitutional amendments that would amend what I consider to be the most important clause of the document which makes the United States of American what is - the free speech clause of the Bill of Rights.

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If we tamper with the Bill of Rights on the 200th anniversary of our Constitution, we are ultimately diminishing every flag in America. We are ultimately demeaning the sacrifices of the men and women who fought to keep us free, the veterans who are referred to so often in this place, the veterans who are no longer with us, the veterans who are inscribed on the Vietnam Wall, the veterans` names who are on marble blocks in counties and States across our country.
If we are ultimately violating all of this, are we not then violating our oaths of office and our standing as men and women sworn to protect our constitutionally guaranteed freedoms, freedoms that all citizens of the United States now share with abundance?

That we should trade 200 years of protection under the Bill of Rights for a 30-second commercial on the flag is, frankly, demeaning. It assumes that our desire to hold office is stronger than our desire to do what is right. I deeply hope that is not true.

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June 21, 1990, page S8516: I will vote against any amendment, any amendment of any kind, that would burn the most important clause of the document that makes the United States of America what she is, the free speech clause of the Bill of Rights.

If we tamper with the Bill of Rights on the 200th anniversary of our Constitution we are diminishing every flag in America.
How easy it is * * * to see the votes we might gain on this issue if we play the 30-second ad game with our Nation`s flag.
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What chapter will we have ghosted for our autobiographies to explain away our writing a loophole into the free speech clause of the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States?
It is that freedom I will be defending, and my own integrity, when I vote to honor the men and women who have served this great Nation by voting to protect the Bill of Rights for which so many died. * * * I believe the proposed amendment to the Bill of Rights is an attack on the heart and soul of the Constitution. That we would trade almost 200 years of protection under the Bill of Rights for a 30-second commercial on the flag is demeaning, and I have anger and disdain for those who would exploit the flag for cheap political gain.