[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12077]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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                            HON. TODD TIAHRT

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 2002

  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, this morning I recited our Pledge of 
Allegiance with extra vigor, for our nation is under attack--not from 
terrorists but extremists in our own country. Yesterday the Ninth 
Federal Appeals Court in San Francisco ruled that the Pledge is an 
unconstitutional endorsement of religion and cannot be recited in 
schools--CANNOT BE RECITED IN SCHOOLS. I am sure you share my outrage. 
There is a reason that our Marines in Iwo Jima risked their lives to 
display the stars and stripes. Our flag stands for all that makes this 
nation great. From kindergarten on, our children are taught respect for 
our flag--a flag that represents this wonderful and, yes, Godly nation. 
Our children are taught that the United States represents liberty and 
justice for all. Our Declaration of Independence, Constitution and even 
our currency state our country's relationship to God. On September 
11th, as soon as it was safe enough the first thing Members of Congress 
did was to gather on the steps of this magnificent building and sing 
``God Bless America.'' The judges in California are clearly out of 
touch, not only with the principles upon which the Pledge is based but 
also with the sentiment of the American people. For the past 9 months 
Americans have proudly displayed their love for their nation, as well 
as their faith in God. We realize now more than ever that our nation 
has a special charge and thus revere the Pledge more than ever. I am 
proud of our flag, I am proud of our nation and I will proudly recite 
``one nation, under God'' for the rest of my life.

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