RICHMOND, VA — Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford), Speaker-designee Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights), Majority Leader-designee Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah), Caucus Chairman Tim Hugo (R-Fairfax), and Majority Whip Jackson Miller (R-Manassas) issued the following statement Friday in response to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit declaring a 90-year-old cross-shaped monument unconstitutional.

“We vehemently disagree with the ruling of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals and are greatly disappointed that a sacred monument, which is known as the Peace Cross and honors our fallen World War I soldiers, could be torn down. A memorial that encourages peace and respect for our fallen heroes should be anything but controversial.

“This ruling is both irrational and impractical, but unfortunately could have implications for sacred memorials here in the Commonwealth. Overreaching judges are attempting to turn political correctness into legal precedent, wiping away the very values and beliefs that this country was founded on.

“We hope supporters of the Peace Cross will appeal this ruling to the United States Supreme Court with hopes this decision will be thrown out. The Peace Cross, and similar memorials in Virginia, should stand for generations to come.”