December 14, 2014 (San Diego) – Language added to the Defense Authorization Act by San Diego Congressman Duncan Hunter would transfer the Mount Soledad cross to a private war memorial organization. Congress passed the bill on Friday and it is now awaiting signature by President Barack Obama.
A federal appellate court ruled that the towering cross on federal land favored one religion over others, violating the Constitution. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case and a district judge in San Diego ordered that the cross be removed, leaving transfer to private ownership as the only means to save the 43-foot-tall cross.
Under the bill’s provisions, the Mount Soledad Memorial Association will purchase the property for its appraised value and keep it in perpetuity as a war memorial. The Association has stated that is raising funds to pay for the purchase, City News Service reports.