HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 205
(By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Kiss, and Delegate Trump
(By Request of the Executive)
Expressing the sentiment of the Legislature that reciting the
Pledge of Allegiance in schools is constitutional, that the
Legislature disagrees with the decision of the United States
Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit and that the Legislature
encourages every West Virginian and American to start their
day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Whereas, The original Pledge of Allegiance was written by
Francis Bellamy in 1892; and
Whereas, The Congress of the United States officially endorsed
the Pledge of Allegiance in 1942; and
Whereas, In 1954 Congress officially added the words "Under
God" to the Pledge of Allegiance; and
Whereas, Millions of Americans have been reciting the current
Pledge of Allegiance without significant controversy for 48 years;
and
Whereas, The West Virginia Legislature encourages starting each
day with the Pledge of Allegiance; and
Whereas, The United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit on June 26, 2002, ruled the phrase "Under God" in the
Pledge of Allegiance violates the separation of church and state;
and
Whereas, The Governor of the State of West Virginia and our
congressional leaders disagree with the decision of the United
States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit and the message this
decision sends to the children of West Virginia; and
Whereas, The decision of the United States Court of Appeals for
the 9th Circuit is likely to be appealed and it is the wish of the
elected representatives of the people of West Virginia to express
their views on this matter; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That it is the sentiment of the Legislature that:
(1) Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in schools and other
public places is constitutional; and
(2) The decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the
9th Circuit should be overturned by the United States Supreme
Court; and
(3) West Virginians and Americans of every age should be
encouraged to begin their day by reciting the following Pledge: 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; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates is
hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the
Governor.