President Bush Signs Law to Protect Mt. Soledad

President Bush has taken an important step by signing into law a measure that gives the federal government authority to oversee the embattled Mt. Soledad cross in San Diego which has been the focus of a lengthy legislative and legal battle.  On Monday, President Bush signed into law H.R. 5683 a measure which cleared the House and Senate designed to protect the war memorial. 

This is an important milestone in the ongoing fight to save one of the most recognizable and important symbols honoring the men and women who gave their lives to protect our freedoms.  This legislative victory is an important step in safeguarding the Mt. Soledad cross.  It comes at a time when legal appeals continue.  We have just filed friend-of-the-court briefs in California state court on behalf of continuing efforts to defend the constitutionality of this vital war memorial.  A cross that has been in place for more than half a century has now captured the attention of the nation.  While we applaud the legislative victory, our focus remains on ensuring that we secure a decisive and lasting legal victory to keep the Mt. Soledad cross in place.

We have been involved in working to preserve the Mt. Soledad cross, representing 22 members of Congress, including Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) who sponsored the House measure that was signed into law by President Bush.

In an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court, we successfully argued that the federal district courts order calling for the removal of the cross should be stayed because important constitutional issues have been raised and that federal and state appeals have not been exhausted.

In addition to Congressman Hunter, we also represent the following members of Congress:  Todd Akin, Gresham Barrett, Eric Cantor, Michael Conaway, Barbara Cubin, John Culberson, Phil Gingery, Gil Gutknecht, Jack Kingston, John Kline, Kenny Marchant, Patrick McHenry, Mike McIntyre, Gary Miller, Marilyn Musgrave, Randy Neugebauer, Joseph Pitts, Jim Ryun, Todd Tiahrt, Dave Weldon, and Lynn Westmoreland.

To stay in tune with the latest on this and other current issues, check out our website at www.aclj.org or listen in to our daily radio program, Jay Sekulow Live!