United States Congress (October 16, 2001) the U.S. Congress passed House Resolution 248 by a margin of 404-0, urging public schools to display the expression of "God Bless America" as a show of support for the nation. This was in response to several cases around the country where people have objected to displaying the words at schools, saying that religion and patriotism should not be intermixed.
The resolution's sponsor, freshman Rep. Henry Brown, R-S.C., recalled standing on the steps of the evacuated Capitol building on the evening of Sept. 11, and joining Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (CA-45th) and other lawmakers in singing "God Bless America."
Rep. Henry Brown stated:
<To threaten a public school for showing the same type of patriotism that we all showed on the Capitol steps is the opposite of what this country is all about.> 2001US002
According to the Associated Press, Brown mentioned a dispute in Rocklin, CA., northeast of Sacramento, where the northern California chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, on behalf of the parent of a student, asked an elementary school to substitute the American flag for a sign saying "God Bless America." The ACLU, in a statement, said the child felt upset and excluded by the religious tenor of the message. The Rocklin school district refused the request, citing a California Supreme Court decision that found the phrase to be a traditional, patriotic phrase that did not violate constitutional separations of church and state. The national ACLU did not comment on the House vote.
House Congressional Resolution 248 states:
<107th CONGRESS, 1st Session, H. CON. RES. 248, CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION, Expressing the sense of the Congress that public schools may display the words "God Bless America" as an expression of support for the Nation.
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that public schools may display the words "God Bless America" as an expression of support for the Nation.
Passed the House of Representatives October 16, 2001. Attest: Clerk.> 2001US003
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
2001US002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). United States Congress, Tuesday, October 16, 2001, 107th CONGRESS, 1st Session, H. CON. RES. 248, CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, http://thomas.loc.gov. "'God Bless America' Displays Endorsed," WASHINGTON (Associated Press), http://dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/ap/20011016/pl/god_bless_america_1.html.
2001US003. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). United States Congress, Tuesday, October 16, 2001, 107th CONGRESS, 1st Session, H. CON. RES. 248, CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, http://thomas.loc.gov. "'God Bless America' Displays Endorsed," WASHINGTON (Associated Press), http://dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/ap/20011016/pl/god_bless_america_1.html.