H.Res. 459House109th Congress (2005-2007)In Committee

Recognizing the achievements and contributions of the Waterfowl Population Survey Program of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

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2 earlier actions

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Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans.

Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee

September 26, 2005

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 22, 2005

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

September 22, 2005

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans.

Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee

September 26, 2005

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.Res. 459 on the floor

1 Democrat

Rep. Earl PomeroyD-ND · Jul 24, 2006

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2389, The Pledge Protection Act of 2005. As I said in 2004 when the House voted on the Pledge Protection Act in the 108th Congress, I strongly believe that…

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2389, The Pledge Protection Act of 2005.

As I said in 2004 when the House voted on the Pledge Protection Act in the 108th Congress, I strongly believe that the Pledge of Allegiance, including the phrase, ``under God'' is a constitutional expression of patriotism.

Therefore, I--along with many of my colleagues--was outraged by court decisions that erroneously declared the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional. As a result, I consistently have voted in favor of legislation reaffirming the place of the Pledge of Allegiance in its entirety in our schools.

In the 108th Congress, I voted in favor of H. Res. 132, which urged the Supreme Court ``to correct the constitutionally infirm and incorrect holding'' by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in its revised decision on the Newdow v. U.S. Congress case. This resolution also expressed the sense of the House of Representatives that the recitation of the Pledge is a patriotic act--not a religious act, that the Pledge should retain the phrase ``One nation, under God,'' and that Congressional policy should encourage the voluntary recitation of the Pledge in public school classrooms. I also voted in favor of an amendment offered by Rep. Hostettler to H.R. 2799, the Commerce, Justice and State and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which prohibited any funds appropriated by the bill being used to enforce the court's decision in Newdow v. U.S. Congress.

In the 107th Congress, I voted in favor of H. Res. 459, which expressed the view of the House of Representatives that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals' original decision in Newdow v. U.S. Congress to strike the words ``under God'' from the Pledge of Allegiance was incorrectly decided. Similarly, I strongly supported S. 2690, legislation that reaffirmed the language of the Pledge of Allegiance, including the phrase ``one Nation under God.''

However, as I stated last year, I am concerned that the passage of H.R. 2389 would threaten the separation of powers set forth in the United States Constitution. Historically, the United States Supreme Court has the final authority on questions regarding a Federal law's constitutionality. However, H.R. 2389 would allow future Congresses to enact laws that clearly violate basic constitutional principles, while at the same time barring these laws from review by the Supreme Court. This lack of checks and balances could undermine the strength of America's most fundamental founding document. Given these significant issues with H.R. 2389, I again plan on voting against this measure.

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 22, 2005

109th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. RES. 459

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 22, 2005

Mr. Dingell (for himself and Mr. Weldon of Pennsylvania) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Resources

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the achievements and contributions of the Waterfowl Population Survey Program of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Whereas every spring and summer, pilot-biologists take to the skies to survey North America’s waterfowl breeding grounds as part of the Waterfowl Population Survey of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;

Whereas such pilot-biologists, flying more than 80,000 miles a year and crisscrossing the country just above the treetops and open fields, and observers on the ground record the number of ducks, geese, and swans and assess the quality and quantity of water-fowl breeding habitats;

Whereas from the wide-open bays and wetlands of the eastern shores of North America to some of the most remote regions of Canada and Alaska, such pilot-biologists are documenting an important part of our wild heritage;

Whereas the Waterfowl Population Survey of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2005, is featured on the 2005-2006 Federal migratory-bird hunting and conservation stamp (popularly known as the Duck Stamp), and has been recognized by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation for its contribution to waterfowl hunting;

Whereas the Waterfowl Population Survey Program has evolved into the largest and most reliable wildlife survey effort in the world; and

Whereas for more than 50 years cooperative waterfowl surveys have been performed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Canadian Wildlife Service, State and provincial biologists, and non-governmental partners, and the results of such surveys have determined the status of North America’s waterfowl populations, play an important role in setting annual waterfowl hunting regulations, and help guide the decisions of waterfowl managers throughout North America: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives—

(1)

recognizes the achievements and contributions of the Waterfowl Population Survey Program of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;

(2)

expresses strong support for the continued success of the Waterfowl Population Survey Program;

(3)

encourages the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in its efforts to broaden understanding and public participation in the Waterfowl Population Survey Program by increasing partnerships to continue growth and development of the survey; and

(4)

reaffirms its commitment to the Waterfowl Population Survey Program and the conservation of the rich natural heritage of the United States.