Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of this resolution and in support of the Pledge of Allegiance.

I believe children in schools across America should start their day in the same way we do here on the floor of the United States House of Representatives, by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Speaker, the Ninth Circuit's decision is outrageous and has set a dangerous precedent that we cannot allow to continue nationwide. I know of no better way to educate our children about the beliefs we stand for in this great Nation of ours than with the Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge is an important way of educating our children about the value of patriotism, democracy, a reminder that we are one Nation under God. That is why I believe we need to keep the Pledge in our schools, and as my constituents in Oklahoma would say, keep the judges who do not value the Pledge out of our courts.

Mr. Speaker, my constituents are dumbfounded and angered by the Ninth Circuit's actions. That is why I have introduced legislation immediately after the court's original ruling last year that would amend the U.S. Constitution to protect the right of schools to lead willing students in the recitation of the Pledge. I have reintroduced my Pledge of Allegiance Protection Amendment in this Congress; and while I know, I believe in my heart that the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn this foolish ruling, I urge my colleagues' support for its passage if the Supreme Court upholds the Ninth Circuit Court's atrocious decision.

Mr. Speaker, again, I support this resolution in support of the Pledge.

Mr. Speaker, today, I reintroduced the bill that I introduced last Congress in response to the absurd ruling made by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals which declared school recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional. Immediately upon hearing of this atrocious decision in June of last year, I began drafting my bill, the ``Pledge of Allegiance Protection Amendment,'' which would amend the U.S. Constitution to protect the right of schools to lead willing students in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Speaker, I believe children in schools across America should start their day the same way we do here in Congress, by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

The court decision has set a dangerous precedent that we cannot allow to continue nationwide. I know of no better way to educate our children about the beliefs we stand for in this great country of ours than with the Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge is an important way of educating our children about the value of patriotism and democracy and a reminder that we are one nation, under God. That is why I believe we need to keep the Pledge in our schools and keep judges who don't value the Pledge out of our courts.

As it stands now, a temporary stay has been placed on the effect of the ruling until the full panel of the Ninth Circuit reviews the case. I would prefer not to have to amend the Constitution unless it is absolutely necessary to do so, and it is my hope that the courts will overtum this ridiculous ruling. However, if they do not, then I have my bill ready to go to protect the Pledge of Allegiance in our schools.

Mr. Speaker, I urge your support of this bill and yield back the remainder of my time.