Support the Pledge

SUPPORT THE PLEDGE -- (House of Representatives - September 22, 2004)

(Mr. RYUN of Kansas asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, amidst the controversy surrounding the Pledge of Allegiance, I fear that we have forgotten our Founding Fathers' true intentions behind the establishment clause in the Constitution. While our critics argue that the words "under God" violate the establishment cause, our founders actually encouraged this type of religious recognition.

As George Washington said in his farewell address, and I quote, "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. The mere politician, equal with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them."

Washington encourages us to respect religion, and I think he feared that the government might misapply the establishment clause to things like the Pledge. Even Thomas Jefferson, who advocated the wall of separation between church and State, articulated this, and I quote, "No Nation has ever yet existed or been governed without religion, nor can be."

Considering our Founding Fathers' clear statements, it is hard to say that the Pledge establishes religion or crosses the wall of separation. I urge my colleagues to embrace the founders' original intent and support H.R. 2028.

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