STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN ASHCROFT
REGARDING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CASE

“The Justice Department today has asked the United States Supreme Court to reaffirm the right of Americans to recite voluntarily the Pledge of Allegiance. Two decisions of the Supreme Court have said without qualification that the Pledge is constitutional. No Justice has expressed any other view. Schools across America, and hundreds of thousands of school children, have relied on the Supreme Court's repeated assurances as they have started their day with the Pledge.

“Our religious heritage has been recognized and celebrated for hundreds of years in the National Motto (“In God we trust”), National Anthem, Declaration of Independence, and Gettysburg Address. As the Court has ruled again and again, our government and people can acknowledge the important role religion has played in America’s foundation, history and character. The Justice Department will vigorously defend our nation’s heritage and our children’s ability to recite the Pledge.”

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