[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 127 (Monday, September 8, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H7279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 FRANCIS BELLAMY AND THE 122ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

  (Mr. COLLINS of New York asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. COLLINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate 
Francis Bellamy, one of the most influential individuals from Mount 
Morris, New York. Unknown by most Americans, Francis Bellamy is the 
author of the Pledge of Allegiance.
  Today marks the 122nd anniversary of the Pledge of Allegiance, which 
was first published in a magazine called The Youth Companion on 
September 8, 1892. The Pledge was initially written as part of a 
campaign to put American flags in every school in the country.
  In its original form it read:

       I pledge allegiance to my flag and the Republic for which 
     it stands, one Nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice 
     for all.

  In 1923, the words, ``the flag of the United States of America'' were 
added. In 1954, Congress added the words ``under God,'' creating the 
31-word pledge that we say today.
  Bellamy's words are recited millions of times every day and are 
ingrained in our society as an expression of national pride and 
patriotism.

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