H.J.R. 12

1

RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING THE WORDS,
2 UNDER GOD, IN THE PLEDGE OF
3 ALLEGIANCE
4 2007 GENERAL SESSION
5 STATE OF UTAH
6 Chief Sponsor: Kerry W. Gibson
7 Senate Sponsor: Darin G. Peterson
8
9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This joint resolution of the Legislature reaffirms the words "under God" as part of the
12 official Pledge of Allegiance of the United States.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This resolution:
15 . reaffirms the words "under God" as part of the official Pledge of Allegiance of the
16 United States of America.
17 Special Clauses:
18 None
19
20 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
21 WHEREAS, the Pledge of Allegiance is a promise or oath of allegiance to the United
22 States as represented by its national flag;
23 WHEREAS, the Pledge of Allegiance is commonly recited in unison at public events
24 and especially in public school classrooms;
25 WHEREAS, the Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a
26 Baptist minister;
27 WHEREAS, by presidential proclamation, and later at the urging of the National Flag

28 Conference, Reverend Bellamy's original version of the Pledge was altered prior to being
29 officially recognized as the official national pledge in 1945;
30 WHEREAS, on Flag Day, 1954, at President Dwight Eisenhower's urging, the United
31 States Congress passed a resolution to add the words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance;
32 WHEREAS, President Eisenhower explained, "These words ["under God"] will remind
33 Americans that despite our great physical strength we must remain humble. They will help us
34 to keep constantly in our minds and hearts the spiritual and moral principles which alone give
35 dignity to man, and upon which our way of life is founded"; and
36 WHEREAS, it is fitting that the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance be
37 reaffirmed as part of the official Pledge of Allegiance of the United States:
38 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
39 reaffirms the words "under God" as part of the official Pledge of Allegiance of the United
40 States of America.
41 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the President of
42 the United States, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United
43 States House of Representatives, and to the members of Utah's congressional delegation.





Legislative Review Note
as of 2-8-07 10:59 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel