MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2002 3rd Extraordinary Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Smith, Jackson, Thames, King, Kirby, Lee, Johnson (19th), Farris, Hewes, Dearing, Chaney, Gordon, Nunnelee, Carmichael, Little, Ross, Browning, Burton, Stogner, Canon, Hyde-Smith, Harvey, Michel, Posey, Gollott, Frazier, Mettetal, Horhn, Dickerson, Scoper, Moffatt, Furniss, Jordan, Robertson, Huggins, Cuevas, Carlton

Senate Resolution 2

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS TO INTRODUCE AND SUPPORT THE PASSAGE OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION TO PROTECT THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND OUR NATIONAL MOTTO.

     WHEREAS, a federal court has ruled that the Pledge of Allegiance with the phrase "under God" is a violation of the First Amendment prohibition that Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion; and

     WHEREAS, there is an apparent need to protect the Pledge of Allegiance and our National Motto, "In God We Trust" by a constitutional amendment which will prohibit federal judges from declaring the pledge and the motto a violation of the First Amendment to the Constitution; and

     WHEREAS, the following proposed amendment will protect our Pledge of Allegiance and our National Motto:

     Section 1.  The first article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States shall not be construed to prohibit the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, which shall be, "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

     Section 2.  The first article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States shall not be construed to prohibit the recitation nor use of the National Motto, which shall be, "In God We Trust."

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That we do hereby urge The United States Congress to introduce, pass and submit to the states for ratification this proposed constitutional amendment to protect our Pledge of Allegiance and our National Motto.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, each member of the Mississippi Congressional Delegation and members of the Capitol Press Corps.