ACLJ: Mt. Soledad Legislation Signed by President Bush ''Important Milestone'' - Focus Now Turns to Legal Fight.

WASHINGTON -- The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) said today that President Bush took an important step in signing into law a measure that gives the federal government authority to oversee the embattled Mt. Soledad cross in San Diego - 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," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ, which is involved in the legal battle to save the cross. "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."

The ACLJ has been involved in working to preserve the Mt. Soledad cross. The ACLJ represents 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, the ACLJ successfully argued that the federal district court's 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, the ACLJ also represents 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.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice specializes in constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C. The ACLJ is online at www.aclj.org.