Alcee Hastings: “Mr. Speaker, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America because I believe in its stars and stripes…”

“Mr. Speaker, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America because I believe in its stars and stripes, and I believe that they symbolize our strength and our diversity. I do so out of respect for and love of our country, not because the cameras are rolling and voters are watching. Apparently, the same cannot be said of some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. The underlying legislation, more than anything else, is about the politics of a national election. The Republican political spin machine is in full gear playing, in my view, to the lowest common denominator, to reinvigorate some who may not be as invigorated as the majority party would wish that they be. Instead of wrapping themselves in the flag and marketing their candidates with gimmicks, the majority in Congress ought to work for the people and legislate in their interests. Senator Kerry recently said it very well. He said, 'The flag doesn't belong to any President, it doesn't belong to any ideology and it doesn't belong to any political party. It belongs to all the American people.' The underlying bill is totally unnecessary since there is no binding decision in any court, Federal or State, holding that 'under God' in the Pledge is unconstitutional. This is a solution in search of a problem. Given the serious challenges we face, we must act responsibly.”