News Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina

September 23, 2004

                                       Contact: Sara Lang
                                       Phone: (202) 225-4531

Etheridge Protects the Pledge

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) today voted to protect the Pledge of Allegiance and especially the phrase "under God." Etheridge voted in favor of H.R. 2028, the "Pledge Protection Act," which passed by a vote of 247 to 173.

"We should not allow the words 'under God' to be taken out of the Pledge of Allegiance," Etheridge said. "Everyday in the House chamber, we honor our nation by reciting the Pledge. Schoolchildren across our nation should be allowed to make that same statement, thus building a foundation of patriotism and citizenship. Generations of Americans regard the Pledge of Allegiance as a solemn statement of our nation's values. We must protect the Pledge to preserve our patriotism and our values."

The U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year reversed and remanded the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling that the Pledge is unconstitutional containing the phrase "under God." However, the Supreme Court did so on the grounds that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to bring the case and did not address the case on its merits. Etheridge voted previously in favor of legislation condemning the Ninth Circuit's ruling.

The Pledge of Allegiance was penned in 1892 by the Rev. Francis Bellamy. The phrase "under God" was added in 1954 through legislation by Congress and signed by President Eisenhower.

   
   
   
   

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