S*0950 Resolution, By Bright, Bryant, Verdin and S. Martin
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE FEBRUARY 10, 2014, AS THE SIXTIETH
 ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADDITION OF THE WORDS "UNDER GOD" TO THE PLEDGE OF
 ALLEGIANCE OF THE UNITED STATES.

   01/21/14  Senate Introduced (Senate Journal-page 5)
   01/21/14  Senate Referred to Committee on Invitations
                     (Senate Journal-page 5)
   02/04/14  Senate Polled out of committee Invitations
                     (Senate Journal-page 17)
   02/04/14  Senate Committee report: Favorable Invitations
                     (Senate Journal-page 17)
   02/05/14  Senate Adopted (Senate Journal-page 34)

POLLED OUT OF COMMITTEE

MAJORITY FAVORABLE

February 4, 2014

S. 950

S. Printed 2/4/14--S.

Read the first time January 21, 2014.

To whom was referred a Senate Resolution (S. 950) to recognize February 10, 2014, as the sixtieth anniversary of the addition of the words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States, etc., respectfully

Has polled the Senate Resolution out majority favorable.

TO RECOGNIZE FEBRUARY 10, 2014, AS THE SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADDITION OF THE WORDS "UNDER GOD" TO THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OF THE UNITED STATES.

Whereas, it is entirely appropriate for the South Carolina Senate to pause in the carrying out of its duties to reflect that on February 10, 1954, U.S. Senator Homer Ferguson of Michigan introduced a bill in the United States Congress to amend the Pledge of Allegiance by adding the words "under God" to the text of the pledge; and

Whereas, Senator Ferguson chose February 10, 1954, to introduce the bill because it was the five-year anniversary of the imprisonment of Cardinal Joseph Mindszenty of Hungary, who was imprisoned and tortured by Communists for his sermons exposing Communism's goal to eradicate all religion; and

Whereas, members of both political parties delivered speeches in Congress 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." Further, he declared, "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 our country's Pledge of Allegiance was a unanimous one; and

Whereas, on February 7, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower became convinced that adding the words "under God" to the pledge would be the right thing to do. Hearing Reverend George Docherty's Sunday sermon of that day, in which the pastor preached that the phrase "nation under God" was first used in the Gettysburg Address, persuaded the President that these words would be an appropriate enlargement of America's Pledge of Allegiance because freedom "is defined by a fundamental belief in God." On Flag Day, June 14, 1954, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the added phrase "under God" for the first time; and

Whereas, February 10, 1954, when "under God" was added to our country's Pledge of Allegiance, is one of numerous significant points in time that testify of, and bind us to, our history's Judeo-Christian heritage, and, as such, the date is worthy of honor. The members of the Senate therefore wish to recognize February 10, 2014, as the sixtieth anniversary of the addition of the words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize February 10, 2014, as the sixtieth anniversary of the addition of the words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States.