LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the addi-
tion of the words "under God" to the United States Pledge of Allegiance
to be recognized on February 10, 2014

WHEREAS, On February 10, 1954, Senator Homer Ferguson of Michigan intro-
duced a bill in the United States Congress to amend the Pledge of Alle-
giance by adding the words "under God" to the text of the pledge; and
WHEREAS, February 10, 1954, was chosen as the date to introduce the
bill by Senator Ferguson because it was to recognize the five-year anni-
versary of the imprisonment of Cardinal Joseph Mindszenty of Hungary,
who was imprisoned and tortured by Communists for his sermons exposing
the goal of Communism to eradicate all religion; and
WHEREAS, Speeches were delivered in Congress by members of both poli-
tical parties, honoring Cardinal Mindszenty and emphasizing the threat
posed to America by Communism; and
WHEREAS, Upon introduction of the bill, Senator Ferguson commented, "I
believe this modification of the pledge is important because it high-
lights one of the real fundamental differences between the free world
and the Communist world, namely, belief in God," furthering that with,
"Our nation is founded on a fundamental belief in God, and the first and
most important reason for the existence of our Government is to protect
the God-given rights of our citizens. Spiritual values are every bit as
important to the defense and safety of our nation as are military and
economic values."; and
WHEREAS, The vote to add "under God" to the United States Pledge of
Allegiance was a unanimous vote; and
WHEREAS, On February 7, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower became
convinced that adding the words "under God" to the United States Pledge
of Allegiance would be the right thing to do after hearing Reverend
George Docherty preach that the phrase, "nation under God" was first
used in the Gettysburg Address and were appropriate to be added to the
United States Pledge of Allegiance because freedom "is defined by a
fundamental belief in God"; and
WHEREAS, The first time the United States Pledge of Allegiance was
recited was on Flag Day, June 14, 1954; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor such an important date which strengthens the ties of history that
bind us to our Religious heritage; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the addition of the words "under
God" to the United States Pledge of Allegiance to be recognized on
February 10, 2014.