Resolution in Support for Pledge of Allegiance

Resolution on Pledge of Allegiance adopted by the 126th Supreme Convention on Aug. 7, 2008.

WHEREAS, The Knights of Columbus has always stressed the principle of patriotism in each of the countries in which it is organized; and

 WHEREAS, In the United States the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag has always been an expression of loyalty, not just to the flag but to the principles of freedom, unity and liberty that unite all Americans; and

 WHEREAS, The Knights of Columbus believes that the words “with liberty and justice for all” includes all human beings from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death; and

WHEREAS, The Knights of Columbus led a successful effort to add the words “under God” to the pledge, culminating in the passage of a joint resolution of Congress in 1954, signed into law by President Eisenhower in that year; and

 WHEREAS, The Knights of Columbus has participated in three cases, two of which are currently pending, which challenge the constitutionality of including the words “under God” in the pledge; and

 WHEREAS, The words “under God” give voice to a principle of American government that has been understood to be an essential part of our system since its founding, namely, that the fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution are “endowed by our Creator,” and are not the state’s to give or to take away, but only to preserve and to protect;

 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That we proudly support the continued use of “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, and that we recognize that these words affirm a fundamental principle of American government: that our basic human rights come from God, and that it is the duty of all three branches of the U.S. government to protect those rights; and

 FURTHER RESOLVED, That we will not cease our efforts to oppose any attempts to remove the reference to God from the pledge wherever and whenever such attempt is made.