Ehrlich on Washington column, June 30, 2002

с NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Rood, $u*t« 304 3 1 5 Cannon Hot»* Office Building Lutherville, Maryland 2 1 093 Wa^ington, D.C 205 1 5 EHRLICH ON WASHINGTON Week of June 30, 2002 By Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Protecting the Pledge The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, whose jurisdiction covers nine western states, ruled last week that the Pledge of Allegiance violates the Constitution by referencing God. In sixty days, all schoolchildren under the Court’s jurisdiction will be prohibited from citing God in the pledge. Remarkably, the court forgot to ban Congress, outlaw the Supreme Court, toss out the Declaration of Independence, and confiscate all your money. After all, Congress opens every legislative business day with a prayer, the Supreme Court begins every session with the phrase, “God Save the United States and this Court,” the Declaration of Independence cites a higher faith four times, and our currency is emblazoned in the words “In God We Trust.” Clearly the Court forgot to finish the job. Given the Ninth Circuit’s collective state of mind, these ideas probably make sense. But to the rest of America, the Court’s decision and its potential fallout is utter nonsense. In 1954, Congress and President Dwight Eisenhower enacted legislation that added the phrase “under God” to the pledge. The phrase was added in the same spirit as those instances where our Founding Fathers incorporated faith in the bedrock of our government’s institutions. As much as the Ninth Circuit Court may try, they cannot tear down the foundation upon which America’s legal, governmental, and social fabric is built. Specifically, the Court ignored the fact that the 1954 legislation does not force any American to recite the pledge. Indeed, no individual can be compelled to do so. I have always championed the individual’s right to independently organize, reflect on their spiritual beliefs, and to recognize their faith in God and country. The Constitution must not be interpreted to prohibit an expression of faith on public property. By doing so, the Court has violated one of the most sacred tenets of the First Amendment - that all citizens may worship as they please without fear of recrimination from their government. The Court’s decision proves how important it is for the Senate to confirm President Bush’s judicial nominations. Unfortunately, personal politics and partisan bickering has left dozens of