OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Pledge Protection Act of 2005

Date: July 21, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Oil and Gas Judicial Branch


PLEDGE PROTECTION ACT OF 2005 -- (Extensions of Remarks - July 21, 2006)

SPEECH OF
HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY
OF ILLINOIS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2389) to amend title 28, United States Code, with respect to the jurisdiction of Federal courts over certain cases and controversies involving the Pledge of Allegiance:

* Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2389, the so-called Pledge Protection Act. H.R. 2389 would strip all Federal courts, including the Supreme Court, of their ability to hear cases involving the Pledge of Allegiance.

* The Pledge of Allegiance is a true expression of liberty and justice for all--cornerstones of our great Nation. However, H.R. 2389 would punish those who exercise that freedom. Basic due process demands an independent judicial forum capable of determining Federal constitutional rights. This legislation deprives the Federal courts of their ability to hear cases involving the fundamental free speech rights of students, parents, and other individuals. In our Country, dissenting views are supposed to be valued, allowed and tolerated. To take away this fundamental freedom of expression is to dishonor America and all Americans.

* At this time when American soldiers continue to die every day in Iraq, with the Taliban and Al Qaeda making gains in Afghanistan, when millions of Americans are suffering because the minimum wage has not been raised in almost a decade, when millions more lack any health care coverage, and when gas prices are skyrocketing, the Republican majority has decided that the House should instead debate a bill that is unnecessary and, if passed, would only serve to undermine our democracy.

* I am not afraid of those Americans who oppose parts of the Pledge having an opportunity to express those views. Healthy, controversial debates and a free society able to challenge the status quo are what make our country so strong and so great. What is scary are those who seek to use bills, such as the one before us today, to advance their ideology at the expense of freedom and liberty. That is something we should all oppose in the strongest terms.

* As Members of Congress we owe our constituents better. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.R. 2389.

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