M&A CONGRATULATES ERIC CANTOR (R-VA) FOR DEFENDING PATRIOTIC DISPLAY

(The following is a reprinting of a March 21 media release from the office of our client, Virginia Congressman Eric Cantor. The release details the congressman's response to the forced removal of an American flag from a City Hall office in Richmond; M&A offers its warmest congratulations to Congressman Cantor for his principled defense of the city employee's legally protected display of his patriotism.)

Congressman Eric Cantor
Seventh District of Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Rob Collins
(202) 225.2815/(202) 441.6479

March 21, 2003

Cantor Responds to Flag Removal from City Hall Office

WASHINGTON - In response to City of Richmond employee Gary Burton being forced to remove an American flag on display from his City Hall office yesterday, Congressman Eric Cantor sent the attached letter to City Manager Calvin Jamison today.

March 21, 2003

Calvin D. Jamison
City Manager
City Hall
900 East Broad Street
Room 201
Richmond, Virginia, 23219.

Dear Mr. Jamison:

Yesterday, City of Richmond employee Gary Burton, in an attempt to show support for America's troops in the Middle East, displayed a legal and official American flag in his office.

I understand that his supervisor, Claude E. Cooper, ordered him to take it down eight hours later.

With the war having commenced in Iraq, and on the day that America suffered our first casualties, Mr. Burton's efforts were not only appropriate, but also completely within his rights as a patriotic American.

The display of an American flag in the workplace is legal, appropriate and to be commended. The conduct of this supervisor in forcing the flag's removal is an outrageous insult to the men and women of our armed services, especially to the memory of those who fought and died for our country.

I sincerely hope that you will not waste the people's time and tax dollars by having this matter reviewed by the City Attorney. Instead, I expect administrative action that will allow the flag to be re-hung today. This will send a clear signal that the American flag is appropriate and welcome in City Hall.

During this time of national concern for our troops and our nation's security, to have this type of needless notoriety focused on Richmond not only tarnishes the Commonwealth, but also makes it harder for our entire federal delegation to represent and advocate for Virginia.

It does highlight a possible need for legislative action that would tie federal appropriations to cities that fail to clarify and protect the right of any local, state and federal employee to fly the American flag.

We are all proud to be Americans; your employees should be allowed, without question, to show that they are proud of their country.

Sincerely,

Eric Cantor

MEMBER OF CONGRESS

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