Senators Jones, Schuitmaker, Caswell, Colbeck, Hansen, Marleau, Meekhof, Pavlov, Proos, Jansen, Pappageorge and Booher offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 108.

            A resolution celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the words “under God” added to the Pledge of Allegiance and urging Congress to forever keep the words "under God" preserved in our Pledge of Allegiance as a testament to the founding ideals that led our country to prosperity.

            Whereas, The United States of America will be celebrating the 60th Anniversary of adding the words “under God” into the Pledge of Allegiance; and

            Whereas, The joint resolution was introduced by Michigan natives, Congressman Charles Oakman (R-17th) and U.S. Senator Homer Ferguson (R) before being signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on June 14, 1954 (Flag Day); and

            Whereas, Reverend George M. Docherty, pastor of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, delivered the historic sermon on February 7, 1954, before President Eisenhower in Washington, D.C., suggesting the words “under God” be added to the pledge. Congressman Oakman introduced his legislation the following day; and

            Whereas, These words were first recited within the Pledge of Allegiance by the Knights of Columbus in 1951 at the opening of each of their meetings; and

            Whereas, Michigan Congressman Louis Charles Rabaut (D-14th) submitted a resolution on April 20, 1953, to amend the Pledge of Allegiance with the words “under God.”  He was the first of many to introduce such similar legislation before it became law in 1954; and

            Whereas, President Abraham Lincoln first said the phrase “nation, under God,” in the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery:

“It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

; and

            Whereas, When the future of the United States was threatened by communism, we reminded our citizens and the world that our country would prosper because of our nation’s fundamental belief in God. President Eisenhower addressed this foundation during his statement at the signing of the amended Pledge of Allegiance:

“From this day forward, the millions of our school children will daily proclaim in every city and town, every village and rural school house, the dedication of our nation and our people to the Almighty. To anyone who truly loves America, nothing could be more inspiring than to contemplate this rededication of our youth, on each school morning, to our country's true meaning…In this somber setting, this law and its effects today have profound meaning. In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen.”

; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we hereby officially recognize and celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the words “under God” added to the Pledge of Allegiance and urge Congress to forever keep these words preserved in our Pledge of Allegiance. We honor the Michigan members of Congress who put forth the legislation that instilled the importance of these words in our great nation; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.