[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 20346]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         CONFIRM JUDGE ROBERTS

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday a judge in San Francisco ruled the 
Pledge of Allegiance, which we just said, is unconstitutional. Again, 
it is disturbing how a judge can strike down a voluntary act of 
patriotic expression. Any reading of the founding documents reveals 
that the first amendment was written to guarantee the right of 
expression. That should allow for public displays and proper 
expressions of faith in the public square. It also certainly allows for 
voluntary expressions of patriotism. But certain judges are ignoring 
it.
  The Constitution established the judiciary as a coequal branch of 
government, not as the final and supreme authority. The hearings on 
Judge Roberts' nomination to the Supreme Court underscore the 
importance of confirming judges who understand this. We must maintain 
the proper checks and balances which our Founders designed. It is time 
for Congress and the President to stand up to the courts which have 
seized so much power to themselves. Ultimately, the survival of our 
constitutional republic will depend on it.

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