MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Martinson, Aldridge, Bain, Baker, Baria, Barker, Barton, Bennett, Bounds, Boyd, Brown (20th), Buck (5th), Buck (72nd), Busby, Byrd, Carpenter, Cockerham, Coleman (65th), Crawford, Currie, DeBar, DeLano, Denny, Dickson, Ellis, Flaggs, Formby, Frierson, Gardner, Guice, Hamilton, Haney, Holland, Hood, Horne, Howell, Huddleston (15th), Ladner, Lamar, Lott, Malone, Massengill, Mayo, McGee, McLeod, Mettetal, Miles, Mims, Monsour, Moore, Morgan, Nelson, Pigott, Read, Rogers (14th), Rushing, Shows, Smith (39th), Snowden, Staples, Steverson, Turner, Upshaw, White, Whittington, Williams-Barnes, Young, Zuber, Eure, Chism, Shirley, Arnold
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING FEBRUARY 8, 1954, AS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADDITION OF THE WORDS, "UNDER GOD," TO THE UNITED STATES PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
WHEREAS, on February 8, 1954, Senator Homer Ferguson of Michigan introduced a bill to amend the United States Pledge of Allegiance by adding the words, "under God," to the text of the pledge; and
WHEREAS, February 8, 1954, was chosen as the date to introduce the bill by Senator Ferguson because it was the five-year anniversary of the imprisonment of Cardinal Joseph Mindszenty of Hungary, who was imprisoned and tortured by Nazis and Communists for his sermons exposing the goal of both parties to eradicate all religion; and
WHEREAS, six speeches were delivered in Congress, by members of both political 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 highlights 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."; 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 words were appropriate to be added to the United States Pledge of Allegiance because freedom to Americans was 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 policy of this Legislature to recognize and honor such an important date which strengthens the ties of history that bind us to our Christian heritage:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize February 8, 1954, as the anniversary of the addition of the words, "under God," to the United States Pledge of Allegiance.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.