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July 31, 2002 Judge
Alfred T. Goodwin
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
95 Seventh
Street
San Francisco, CA 94103 Dear
Judge Goodwin:
On
behalf of the over 200,000 National Grange members, I must express our objection
and dismay to your ruling in the case of Newdow vs. U.S. Congress. We strongly
urge you to reconsider your ruling in this case and support the constitutionality
of the phrase "under God' as being included as part of the Pledge of Allegiance
when the opinion is brought up for review before the entire Ninth Circuit Court
of Appeals.
At the 135th Annual Convention of the National Grange, held last November in Cedar
Rapids, IA, the National Grange delegates adopted the following policy statements
regarding the Pledge of Allegiance and the appropriate circumstances where reference
to a supreme being in a public school does not arise to the constitutionally prohibited
action of "establishment of religion". "The
National Grange strongly supports The Star Spangled Banner as our National Anthem
and its solemn and dignified rendition and the Pledge of Allegiance in its present
form with the words "under God" and "Liberty", and In God We Trust remaining on
our currency and as our national motto. Moreover, we vigorously oppose all efforts
by organizations and individuals attempting to destroy the great traditional principles
upon which our nation was founded." (emphasis added)
"The National Grange supports an interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, which
allows schools, or any other governmental authority, to permit religious prayer,
such as invocations and benedictions, as part of any function, but especially
at graduation ceremonies." In
our view, the risk that the words "Under God" will impose a national religion
to which everyone must adhere are minimal to none. To hold that the phrase "Under
God" is unconstitutional in the circumstance of a public school undermines the
principles this country was founded on. By prohibiting this expression of patriotism
by school children in your jurisdiction, your ruling would deprive future generations
of the traditions that symbolize the strength and values of our nation such as
our National Anthem, the national motto depicted on our currency and the Declaration
of Independence, which makes references to our "Creator." We must ask ourselves
if the risk of obliterating verbal and written expression of these things that
a majority of Americans hold dear in addition to symbolizing our country's ideals
is worth taking. The clear answer to the National Grange and the majority of Americans,
is no. Sincerely,
Kermit W.
Richardson, President
National Grange of the Order of Husbandry | 
