Reps. Brandenburg, Palmer, Nitz, Milosch, Bradstreet, Taub, Ward, Caswell, Garfield, Tabor, Walker, Shulman, DeRossett, Amos, Wenke, Stahl, Sheen, Rocca, Hoogendyk, Voorhees, Bisbee, Ehardt, Kooiman, Howell, LaJoy, Ruth Johnson, Sheltrown, DeRoche, Spade, Woronchak, Middaugh, Farhat, Shackleton, Nofs, Gaffney, Steil, Van Regenmorter, Pappageorge, Caul, Hart, Shaffer, Meyer, Stewart, Drolet, Acciavatti, Emmons, Robertson, Vander Veen, Casperson, Pastor, Stakoe, Mortimer, Palsrok, Newell, Hummel, Huizenga, Accavitti, Gieleghem, Wojno, Law, Gleason, Hager, Hune, Murphy, O'Neil, Plakas, Richardville and Sak offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 161.

            A resolution to urge the United States Supreme Court to uphold the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance with the phrase "under God" and permit its recitation in classrooms.

            Whereas, In a ruling that has upset citizens all across our country, a California federal appellate court ruled that the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance amounts to an unconstitutional "endorsement of religion."  This case is now before the United States Supreme Court; and

            Whereas, For nearly 50 years, the phrase "under God" has been part of the Pledge of Allegiance as an expression of nondenominational faith in a higher power that is a fitting continuation of the sentiments that have been part of our national heritage since the founders included such references in the Declaration of Independence.  Indeed, the Declaration of Independence includes such terms as "God," "Creator," and "Divine Providence," and our national motto is "In God We Trust"; and

            Whereas, At the heart of this case is whether or not students should be allowed to say the Pledge of Allegiance in its entirety.  A key point to remember is the fact that permitting students to say the Pledge is not the same as compelling them to do so, a distinction that the United States Supreme Court has already addressed; and

            Whereas, The move to question the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance with "under God" is strongly opposed by many people as a reflection of oversensitivity to political correctness and insensitivity to our history, our culture, and the will of our citizens; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the United States Supreme Court to uphold the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance with the phrase "under God" and permit its recitation in classrooms; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the United States Supreme Court.

R 0363 '03