[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 100 (Thursday, June 13, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S4064]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE 247TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CREATION OF THE FLAG OF THE 
   UNITED STATES AND EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

  Mr. BRAUN. Mr. President, I rise today--I have done this several 
times since I have been here in the Senate. It is always an honor to do 
it. When something is that important, I think it is worth repeating. I 
am rising today to offer a resolution expressing support for the Pledge 
of Allegiance as an expression of patriotism and honoring the 247th 
anniversary of the introduction of our U.S. flag.
  Tomorrow, we celebrate Flag Day, which was established over 100 years 
ago by President Woodrow Wilson. As we pause to recognize all that our 
flag represents, let us also honor those who have sacrificed everything 
to defend it.
  In 2002, Senator Tom Daschle raised a similar resolution with 
unanimous support from the Senate. It passed on the floor uneventfully. 
Today, I ask this body to reaffirm our support for the Pledge of 
Allegiance, also bringing into account somebody from Indiana--Red 
Skelton.
  In 1969, the American entertainer, who was well known for his program 
``The Red Skelton Hour,'' wrote a speech on the importance of the 
pledge. Reflecting on his time in Vincennes, IN, he spoke about the 
values instilled by one of his high school teachers.
  After the performance of the speech, CBS received 200,000 requests 
for copies. I wonder if that would occur in this day and age. This 
speech would go on to be sold as a single by Columbia Records and 
performed at the White House for President Nixon.
  I think it would honor Mr. Skelton's memory and the importance of the 
Pledge of Allegiance if it were recited again today on the Senate floor 
like I have done several times since I have been here.
  Red Skelton:

       When I was a small boy in Vincennes, Indiana, I heard, I 
     think, one of the most outstanding speeches I ever heard in 
     my life. I think it compares with the Sermon on the Mount, 
     Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, and Socrates' speech to the 
     Students.
       We had just finished reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and 
     Mr. Lasswell, the Principal of Vincennes High School, called 
     us all together. He says, ``Uh, boys and girls, I have been 
     listening to you recite the Pledge of Allegiance all 
     semester, and it seems that it has become a little monotonous 
     to you. Or, could it be, you do not understand the meaning of 
     each word? If I may, I would like to recite the pledge, and 
     give you a definition of each word:
       I--Me; an individual; a committee of one.
       Pledge--Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without 
     self-pity.
       Allegiance--My love and my devotion.
       To the Flag--Our standard. `Old Glory'; a symbol of 
     courage. And wherever she waves, there is respect, because 
     your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, `Freedom is 
     everybody's job.'
       of the United--That means we have all come together.
       States--Individual communities that have united into 48 
     great states;----

  Forty-eight because of when it was done----

       48 individual communities with pride and dignity and 
     purpose; all divided by imaginary boundaries, yet united to a 
     common cause, and that's love of country--
       Of America.
       And to the Republic--A Republic: a sovereign state in which 
     power is invested into the representatives chosen by the 
     people to govern; and the government is of the people; and 
     it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to 
     the people.
       For which it stands
       One Nation--Meaning `so blessed by God.'
       [Under God]
       Indivisible--Incapable of being divided.
       With Liberty--Which is freedom; the right of power for one 
     to live his own life without fears, threats, or any sort of 
     retaliation.
       And Justice--The principle and qualities of dealing fairly 
     with others.
       For All--For All. That means, boys and girls, it's as much 
     your country as it is mine.''
  Afterwards, Mr. Lasswell asked his students to recite the Pledge of 
Allegiance together, with newfound appreciation for the words.

       I pledge allegiance
       to the Flag of the United States of America
       and to the Republic for which it stands;
       one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

  Red Skelton concluded his speech by saying:

       Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our 
     country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of 
     Allegiance: Under God. Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said 
     ``That is a prayer''--and [it should] be eliminated from our 
     schools [as well]?

  Just as those students that day--Mr. Red Skelton included--
recommitted to the meaning of the words of the Pledge of Allegiance, I 
call upon the U.S. Senate to recommit to the meaning of these words.
  There are times today that the words of the Pledge of Allegiance are 
tossed around without care. Other times, they are altered to remove 
what today is deemed offensive or antiquated. But Americans should not 
misuse or abuse our Pledge of Allegiance. The pledge is meant to remind 
Americans of our guiding principles and inspire adherence to those 
ideas that made our country great: equality under the law; recognized 
rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That is why, in 
honor of Flag Day tomorrow, I am requesting unanimous consent from my 
colleagues that my resolution expressing support of the Pledge of 
Allegiance be passed.
  Mr. President, as if in legislative session and notwithstanding rule 
XXII, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the immediate 
consideration of S. Res. 732, which is at the desk; further, that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to 
reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no 
intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 732) celebrating the 247th 
     anniversary of the creation of the flag of the United States 
     and expressing support for the Pledge of Allegiance.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. BRAUN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider 
be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action 
or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 732) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record 
under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')

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