HJ0067 LRB094 14361 RLC 49285 r

1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The Pledge of Allegiance (Pledge) is and has been
3 under attack by activist judges and courts, and the United
4 States 9th Circuit continues to assail the structure of the
5 Pledge; and
 
6     WHEREAS, The Pledge, including the phrase "one Nation under
7 God", reflects the historical fact that a belief in a higher
8 power permeated the founding and development of our Nation; it
9 is a recognition of the fact that many people believe in a
10 higher power and the value that our culture has traditionally
11 placed on the role of religion, in a general sense rather on
12 any specific religion, in our founding and our culture; and
 
13     WHEREAS, The First Amendment to the Constitution embodies
14 principles intended to guarantee freedom of religion both
15 through the free exercise thereof and by prohibiting the
16 government establishing a religion; and
 
17     WHEREAS, The Supreme Court has recognized that
18 governmental entities may, consistent with the First
19 Amendment, recognize the religious heritage of America; and
 
20     WHEREAS, Patriotic songs, engravings on United States
21 legal tender, and engravings on federal buildings contain
22 general references to "God"; and
 
23     WHEREAS, Congress, and many legislative chambers across
24 the nation, including the Illinois House, have consistently
25 supported the Pledge by starting each session with its
26 recitation; and
 
27     WHEREAS, The Pledge is recited tens of millions of times a
28 day, largely by students in schools across America; and
 

 

 

HJ0067 - 2 - LRB094 14361 RLC 49285 r

1     WHEREAS, The recitation of the Pledge is voluntary, rather
2 than mandatory, on all levels and at all times; and
 
3     WHEREAS, The practice of voluntarily reciting the Pledge in
4 public school classrooms should not only continue but should be
5 encouraged by the policies of Congress, the various states,
6 municipalities, and public school officials; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Those who do not share the beliefs expressed in
8 the Pledge or who do not wish to pledge allegiance to the flag
9 of the United States of America have the right to refrain from
10 its recitation; and
 
11     WHEREAS, The phrase "one Nation under God" reflects that
12 religious faith and religious freedom was central to the
13 Founding Fathers, and thus to the founding of the Nation;
14 therefore, be it
 
15     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
16 NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
17 SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that in line with the powers granted
18 to the several States in Article V of the Constitution of the
19 United States, we call for a Convention to propose an Amendment
20 to the federal Constitution to provide explicitly for the
21 constitutionality of public, non-sectarian expressions of
22 personal faith and reverence, including, but not limited to,
23 the current wording of the Pledge of Allegiance, and for no
24 other purpose; and be it further
 
25     RESOLVED, That we call upon Congress to draft and submit an
26 amendment of this type for ratification to the several States;
27 and be it further
 
28     RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be transmitted to
29 the Senators and Representatives representing Illinois in
30 Congress.