[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 4, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3101-S3102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

    SENATE RESOLUTION 71--EXPRESSING THE SUPPORT FOR THE PLEDGE OF 
                               ALLEGIANCE

  Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Hatch, Mr. 
Allen, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Allard, Mr. Bennett. Mr. Brownback, Mr. 
Bunning, Mr. Burns, Mr. Chafee, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Cochran, Mr. 
Coleman, Ms. Collins, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Craig, Mr. Crapo, Mr. DeWine, 
Mrs. Dole, Mr. Ensign, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. Graham of South Carolina, 
Mr. Hagel, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Kyl, Mr. Lott, Mr. Lugar, 
Mr. McCain, Mr. Nickles, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Santorum, Mr. Shelby, Mr. 
Smith, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Specter, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Sununu, Mr. Talent, Mr. 
Thomas, Mr. Warner, Mr. Sessions, and Ms. Landrieu) submitted the 
following resolution; which was ordered held at the desk

                               S. Res. 71

       Whereas a 3-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of 
     Appeals has ruled in Newdow v. United States Congress that 
     the words ``under God'' in the Pledge of Allegiance violate 
     the Establishment Clause when recited voluntarily by students 
     in public schools;
       Whereas the Ninth Circuit has voted not to have the full 
     court, en banc, reconsider the decision of the panel in 
     Newdow;
       Whereas this country was founded on religious freedom by 
     the Founding Fathers, many of whom were deeply religious;
       Whereas the First Amendment to the Constitution embodies 
     principles intended to guarantee freedom of religion both 
     through the free exercise thereof and by prohibiting the 
     Government establishing a religion;
       Whereas the Pledge of Allegiance was written by Francis 
     Bellamy, a Baptist minister, and first published in the 
     September 8, 1892, issue of the Youth's Companion;
       Whereas Congress, in 1954, added the words ``under God'' to 
     the Pledge of Allegiance;
       Whereas the Pledge of Allegiance has for almost 50 years 
     included references to the United States flag, the country, 
     to our country having been established as a union ``under 
     God'' and to this country being dedicated to securing 
     ``liberty and justice for all'';
       Whereas Congress in 1954 believed it was acting 
     constitutionally when it revised the Pledge of Allegiance;
       Whereas the 107th Congress overwhelmingly passed a 
     resolution disapproving of the panel decision of the Ninth 
     Circuit in Newdow, and overwhelmingly passed legislation 
     recodifying Federal law that establishes the Pledge of 
     Allegiance in order to demonstrate Congress's opinion that 
     voluntarily reciting the Pledge in public schools is 
     constitutional;
       Whereas the Senate believes that the Pledge of Allegiance, 
     as revised in 1954 and as recodified in 2002, is a fully 
     constitutional expression of patriotism;
       Whereas the National Motto, patriotic songs, United States 
     legal tender, and engravings on Federal buildings also refer 
     to ``God''; and
       Whereas in accordance with decisions of the United States 
     Supreme Court, public school students are already protected 
     from being compelled to recite the Pledge of Allegiance: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) strongly disapproves of a decision by a panel of the 
     Ninth Circuit in Newdow, and the decision of the full court 
     not to reconsider this case en banc; and
       (2) authorizes and instructs the Senate Legal Counsel again 
     to seek to intervene in the case to defend the 
     constitutionality of the words ``under God'' in the Pledge, 
     and, if unable to intervene, to file an amicus curiae brief 
     in support of the continuing constitutionality of the words 
     ``under God'' in the Pledge.
                                 ______
                                 

  SENATE RESOLUTION 72--ELECTING WILLIAM H. PICKLE OF COLORADO AS THE 
             SERGEANT AT ARMS AND DOORKEEPER OF THE SENATE

  Mr. FRIST submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
and agreed to:

                               S. Res. 72

       Resolved, That William H. Pickle of Colorado be, and he is 
     hereby, elected Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate 
     effective March 17, 2003.
                                 ______
                                 

  SENATE RESOLUTION 73--REMEMBERING AND HONORING THE HEROIC LIVES OF 
   ASTRONAUTS AIR FORCE LIEUTENANT COLONAL MICHAEL ANDERSON AND NAVY 
                  COMMANDER WILLIAM ``WILLIE'' MCCOOL

  Ms. CANTWELL (for herself, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Reid, and Mr. Brownback) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                               S. Res. 73

       Whereas mankind lost 7 heroes with the tragic explosion of 
     the Space Shuttle Columbia on February 1, 2003;
       Whereas the families and friends of the 7 astronauts, the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the entire 
     Nation, and people around the world who followed the historic 
     mission will deeply miss the 7 crew members of the Space 
     Shuttle Columbia;
       Whereas the astronauts made an important contribution as 
     models of bravery, courage, and excellence for men, women, 
     and children around the world;
       Whereas 2 of these heroes, Air Force Lieutenant Colonel 
     Michael Anderson and Navy Commander William ``Willie'' 
     McCool, are particularly close to the hearts of residents of 
     the State of Washington;
       Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Anderson was a beloved son of 
     the Spokane community since moving there at the age of 11, 
     and a cherished hero for men, women, and children in 
     Washington;
       Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Anderson was a hero, long before 
     accepting the challenge of the Columbia mission, for leading 
     a life characterized by courage, achievement against many 
     odds, and sacrifice for this country;
       Whereas the story of Lieutenant Colonel Anderson is even 
     more remarkable in light of the barriers to success that 
     young African-Americans in this country have had to overcome;
       Whereas this remarkable story has long been shared at the 
     childhood church of Lieutenant Colonel Anderson and 
     throughout the Spokane African-American community, and has 
     inspired a generation of children;
       Whereas throughout his early education in Spokane area 
     public schools, Lieutenant Colonel Anderson focused on 
     voyaging to space as an astronaut and became an exceptional 
     science student;
       Whereas since becoming an astronaut in 1994, Lieutenant 
     Colonel Anderson took to heart the special responsibility of 
     serving as a role model for children around the country and 
     back home;
       Whereas after his 1998 flight on the Space Shuttle Endeavor 
     to the Mir Space Station, Lieutenant Colonel Anderson 
     returned to Cheney High School in Spokane and told a crowd of 
     enthralled students that dreams such as his of becoming an 
     astronaut can be achieved with hard work and clear goals;
       Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Anderson embodied excellence and 
     provided a triumphant example of accomplishment for Americans 
     of all colors, races, and backgrounds;
       Whereas the Washington family lost another dear friend in 
     Commander McCool, who made Anacortes, Washington his home 
     during 2 periods of service at Naval Air Station Whidbey 
     Island;
       Whereas community members remember Commander McCool for his 
     kindness, professionalism, and love of his children;
       Whereas Commander McCool continued to pay visits to the 
     Anacortes community and was a cherished member of the 
     community; and

[[Page S3102]]

       Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Anderson and Navy Commander 
     McCool will be missed but never forgotten: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Senate remembers and honors the heroic 
     lives of astronauts Lieutenant Colonel Michael Anderson and 
     Commander William McCool.

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