Doug Ose: “Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently declared it is unconstitutional to say the Pledge of…”

“Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently declared it is unconstitutional to say the Pledge of Allegiance, our national recitation and proclamation of patriotism. This ruling is an attack on the history of our Nation and on the display of our patriotic pride. On Friday, February 28, 2003, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld its ruling on Newdow v. U.S. Congress. In its decision, the court declared the phrase ``one Nation, under God'' to infringe on the Establishment Clause of the first amendment and is therefore unconstitutional to recite within our public schools. This issue hits especially close to home because Newdow v. U.S. Congress originated in the Elk Grove Unified School District, which is located in my district in California. I would like to recognize the school district for its participation in defending our right to say the Pledge. As the party named in the lawsuit, they have shouldered the burden and the cost for standing up for our community and our Nation. Elk Grove Unified has not waivered in their support of the Pledge of Allegiance and remains an example of true patriotism. In response to the court's ruling, I authored this resolution reaffirming that the Pledge of Allegiance in its entirety is appropriate and calling upon the Supreme Court to review this ruling in order to correct this infirm and historically incorrect decision.”