H.J.R. 3 Enrolled

1

RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING THE WORDS,
2 UNDER GOD, IN THE PLEDGE OF
3 ALLEGIANCE
4 2008 GENERAL SESSION
5 STATE OF UTAH
6 Chief Sponsor: Kerry W. Gibson
7 Senate Sponsor: Margaret Dayton
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 and
24 especially in public school classrooms;
25 WHEREAS, the Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist
26 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 D. Eisenhower's urging, the
31 United States Congress passed a resolution to add the words "under God" to the Pledge of
32 Allegiance;
33 WHEREAS, President Eisenhower explained, "These words ["under God"] will remind
34 Americans that despite our great physical strength we must remain humble. They will help us to
35 keep constantly in our minds and hearts the spiritual and moral principles which alone give
36 dignity to man, and upon which our way of life is founded."; and
37 WHEREAS, it is fitting that the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance be
38 reaffirmed as part of the official Pledge of Allegiance of the United States:
39 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
40 reaffirms the words "under God" as part of the official Pledge of Allegiance of the United States
41 of America.
42 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the President of
43 the United States, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United
44 States House of Representatives, and to the members of Utah's congressional delegation.