S.C.R. 1 Enrolled

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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE 60TH

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ANNIVERSARY OF THE INCLUSION OF UNDER GOD IN

             3     
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

             4     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             5     
STATE OF UTAH

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Chief Sponsor: Aaron Osmond

             7     
House Sponsor: LaVar Christensen

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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
             21     
             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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