Washington, DC, Jun 27, 2006 - Representative John Carter (TX-31) today supported a bill that will allow individuals and families to display the American flag on their residential property. The House passed HR 42, the Freedom to Display the American Flag Act, which will keep condo and homeowner associations from preventing residents from displaying the American flag.

“Guaranteeing that Americans have the right to display the flag at their home is just commonsense. The American flag stands for the freedom that our forefathers fought to secure and our military has continued to defend,” Congressman Carter said. “As we celebrate our nation’s independence this July 4th, it is important that we continue to protect the rights of all Americans to display the symbol of that freedom.”

"A condominium association, cooperative association, or residential real estate management association may not adopt or enforce any policy, or enter into any agreement, that would restrict or prevent a member of the association from displaying the flag of the United States on residential property within the association with respect to which such member has a separate ownership interest or a right to exclusive possession or use.”

The bill specifically permits: “any reasonable restriction pertaining to the time, place, or manner of displaying the flag of the United States necessary to protect a substantial interest of the condominium association, cooperative association, or residential real estate management association.”