2002 SESSION

02-2473

04/01

HOUSE RESOLUTION 26

ANALYSIS

This house resolution denounces the opinion of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit holding that the recitation of the pledge of allegiance in public schools is an unconstitutional endorsement of religion.

02-2473

04/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Two

Whereas, on June 26, 2002, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled the recitation of the pledge of allegiance in public schools to be an unconstitutional endorsement of religion in violation of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution; and

Whereas, the state of New Hampshire denounces the ruling of the Ninth Circuit; and

Whereas, the state of New Hampshire affirms the importance of the pledge of allegiance in honoring those citizens who have fallen in defense our country; and

Whereas, the state of New Hampshire affirms the importance of the pledge of allegiance in the education of the youth of our country; and

Whereas, the state of New Hampshire reaffirms the right to recite the pledge of allegiance as an exercise of free speech protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the New Hampshire house of representatives strongly disagrees with the ruling of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; and

That the New Hampshire house of representatives reaffirms the right to recite the pledge of allegiance as an exercise of free speech protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution; and

That copies of this resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States; the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; the President of the United States Senate; the Justices of the United States Supreme Court, and the members of the New Hampshire congressional delegation.