HJ0067 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0067 LRB094 14361 RLC 49285 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Pledge of Allegiance (Pledge) is and has been under attack by activist judges and courts, and the United States 9th Circuit continues to assail the structure of the Pledge; and

WHEREAS, The Pledge, including the phrase "one Nation under God", reflects the historical fact that a belief in a higher power permeated the founding and development of our Nation; it is a recognition of the fact that many people believe in a higher power and the value that our culture has traditionally placed on the role of religion, in a general sense rather on any specific religion, in our founding and our culture; and

WHEREAS, The First Amendment to the Constitution embodies principles intended to guarantee freedom of religion both through the free exercise thereof and by prohibiting the government establishing a religion; and

WHEREAS, The Supreme Court has recognized that governmental entities may, consistent with the First Amendment, recognize the religious heritage of America; and

WHEREAS, Patriotic songs, engravings on United States legal tender, and engravings on federal buildings contain general references to "God"; and

WHEREAS, Congress, and many legislative chambers across the nation, including the Illinois House, have consistently supported the Pledge by starting each session with its recitation; and

WHEREAS, The Pledge is recited tens of millions of times a day, largely by students in schools across America; and

WHEREAS, The recitation of the Pledge is voluntary, rather than mandatory, on all levels and at all times; and

WHEREAS, The practice of voluntarily reciting the Pledge in public school classrooms should not only continue but should be encouraged by the policies of Congress, the various states, municipalities, and public school officials; and

WHEREAS, Those who do not share the beliefs expressed in the Pledge or who do not wish to pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America have the right to refrain from its recitation; and

WHEREAS, The phrase "one Nation under God" reflects that religious faith and religious freedom was central to the Founding Fathers, and thus to the founding of the Nation; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that in line with the powers granted to the several States in Article V of the Constitution of the United States, we call for a Convention to propose an Amendment to the federal Constitution to provide explicitly for the constitutionality of public, non-sectarian expressions of personal faith and reverence, including, but not limited to, the current wording of the Pledge of Allegiance, and for no other purpose; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we call upon Congress to draft and submit an amendment of this type for ratification to the several States; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Senators and Representatives representing Illinois in Congress.