Bunning celebrates flag day

Sen. Jim Bunning, a baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, is introducing former Chicago Cubs player Rick Monday at a news conference in Washington this morning.

Years ago, Bunning, a Kentucky Republican, faced Monday in a baseball park during a spring training game. Today, he's introducing Monday at a park on Capitol Hill during a Flag Day event to promote a Senate bill to protect the flag.

Look up the bill by number (S.J.Res. 12) here.

Monday was invited to join the event because he “rescued” a flag in Dodger Stadium during a Cubs game in 1976 after two spectators tried to set it on fire. The act resulted in cheers, making Monday a national figure on the issue of flag protection.

Watch a video of Monday's act here.

The Senate resolution would prohibit the desecration of the U.S. flag. The measure passed the House last year, shortly after Flag Day 2005.

During a phone call with reporters yesterday, Bunning said the measure is only about one vote short of passing the Senate. It's sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and co-sponsored by 59 other senators including Bunning, and Ohio Republican Sens. Mike DeWine and George Voinovich.

Also appearing at today's news conference is Heather French Henry, Miss America 2000 of Kentucky and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati.

(Report from Enquirer Washington Bureau intern Stephanie Clary.)