S.C.R. 1 Enrolled
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9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor recognizes the 60th
12 anniversary of the introduction of the legislation that added the words "Under God" to
13 the United States Pledge of Allegiance.
14 Highlighted Provisions:
15 This resolution:
16 . recognizes February 10, 2014, as the 60th anniversary of the introduction of the
17 legislation that added the words "Under God" to the United States Pledge of
18 Allegiance.
19 Special Clauses:
20 None
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22 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
23 WHEREAS, on February 10, 1954, Senator Homer Ferguson of Michigan introduced a
24 bill in the United States Congress to amend the Pledge of Allegiance by adding the words
25 "Under God" to the pledge;
26 WHEREAS, February 10, 1954, was chosen as the date to introduce the bill because it
27 was the five-year anniversary of the imprisonment of Cardinal Joseph Mindszenty of Hungary;
28 WHEREAS, Cardinal Mindszenty was imprisoned and tortured because he refused to
29 stop delivering sermons about the dangers of Communism, particularly the threat it posed to
30 religious freedom;
31 WHEREAS, speeches delivered in the United States Congress by members of both
32 political parties honored Cardinal Mindszenty and emphasized the threat posed to America by
33 Communism;
34 WHEREAS, Senator Ferguson commented, "I believe this modification of the pledge is
35 important because it highlights one of the real fundamental differences between the free world
36 and the Communist world, namely, belief in God," and added, "Our nation is founded on a
37 fundamental belief in God, and the first and most important reason for the existence of our
38 Government is to protect the God-given rights of our citizens. Spiritual values are every bit as
39 important to the defense and safety of our nation as are military and economic values";
40 WHEREAS, on February 7, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower became convinced
41 that the words "Under God" should be added to the United States Pledge of Allegiance after
42 hearing Reverend George Docherty point out that the phrase "nation under God" was first used
43 by President Abraham Lincoln in the Gettysburg Address;
44 WHEREAS, Reverend Docherty further reasoned, "Lincoln claims that it is 'UNDER
45 GOD' that this nation shall know a new birth of freedom. And by implication, it is under God
46 that 'government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the
47 earth'";
48 WHEREAS, on June 8, 1954, the legislation adding "Under God" to the United States
49 Pledge of Allegiance passed by unanimous vote;
50 WHEREAS, President Eisenhower stated, "This law and its effects today have
51 profound meaning. In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in
52 America's heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual
53 weapons which forever will be our country's most powerful resource, in peace or in war";
54 WHEREAS, the first time the United States Pledge of Allegiance was recited in its
55 current form was on Flag Day, June 14, 1954; and
56 WHEREAS, recognizing the 60th anniversary of the introduction of this legislation
57 strengthens the ties of history that bind us to the nation's religious heritage:
58 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
59 Governor concurring therein, recognizes February 10, 2014, as the 60th anniversary of the
60 introduction of the legislation that added the words "Under God" to the United States Pledge of
61 Allegiance.
62 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the President of
63 the United States, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United
64 States House of Representatives, and to the members of Utah's congressional delegation.
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