[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 135 (Thursday, September 8, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H5176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     COMMEMORATING FRANCIS BELLAMY

  (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. Francis Bellamy is the author of the Pledge of 
Allegiance.
  Today marks the 124th anniversary of the Pledge of Allegiance, which 
was first published in a magazine called The Youth's Companion, on 
September 8, 1892.
  The Pledge was originally written as part of a campaign to put 
American flags in every school in the United States. 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 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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