Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to K. A., July 24, 1998

Congress of tfje Untteb States JlouSt of 9R.epreSentatit)E3 ©Haetjington, JBC 20515-2002 July 24, 1998 BUDGET BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICE. ASSISTANT MAJORITY WHIP Dear Thank you for contacting my office to express your views about efforts to restore the original “Star-Spangled Banner." It is good to know that there is a new Republican living in the Second Congressional District. As you know, the Star-Spangled Banner— the flag which flew over Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814, and inspired Francis Scott Key to write the lyrics to our National Anthem— is on display in the Smithsonian Institute. A major effort to restore the tattered flag has recently been announced. Fortunately, though the restoration will cost an estimated $18 million, designer Ralph Lauren has pledged to donate approximately two-thirds of the funds needed to complete the project. Your comments about hypocrisy are well taken. It is ironic that some Democrats, many of whom ridiculed then- Vice President George Bush for elevating flag burning to a national issue during the 1988 presidential campaign, are hypothetically “wrapping themselves in the flag” a decade later. Once again, thanks for contacting me regarding this important matter. Please contact me again if I can be of assistance. Very truly yours, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Member of Congress