STATEMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL REGARDING TODAY'S NINTH CIRCUIT DECISION:

The following press release was published by the US Department of Justice on June 26, 2002. It is reproduced in full below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2002 WWW.USDOJ.GOV AG (202) 514-2007 TDD (202) 514-1888 "This decision is directly contrary to two centuries of American tradition. The Justice Department believes in the right of Americans to pledge allegiance to their flag and is evaluating the appropriate response." 02-375

Source: US Department of Justice