John Doolittle: “I submit these remarks with shock, sadness, and disgust. In the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks September 11…”

“I submit these remarks with shock, sadness, and disgust. In the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks September 11, Breen Elementary School--located in my district in my hometown of Rocklin, CA--displayed a sign supporting both the victims of the attacks and our troops overseas engaged in America's war on terrorism. The sign simply--yet poignantly--stated ``God Bless America.'' Incredulously, the American Civil Liberties Union decided that the sign was inappropriate, defiantly proclaiming that the words sent a ``hurtful, divisive message.'' Apparently they are driven by the patently false perception that the sign somehow separates the line between church and state and is thus violative of the Constitution. But Mr. Speaker, this isn't about separation of church and state, this is about purging God and all things religious completely out of American life. The ACLU and those that fund it are waging a cynical crusade, a war against all those who find comfort and solace in our Lord, plain and simple. How dare they try to stifle the spirit of Americans in these incredibly difficult times? How dare they hide behind the Constitution, perverting its meaning and twisting its words into a gag rule against the people it empowers?”