News Release
Governor Calls 9th Circuit Ruling 'Ludicrous'
3/7/2003
Chuck Butler
406-444-5523
cbutler@state.mt.us
"The very idea that anyone - particularly our young people - would be barred from saying the Pledge of Allegiance is simply ludicrous," said Governor Martz. "We are 'one nation under God' and I am pleased that our pledge was amended in 1954 to include those words."
Governor Martz was asked by a reporter if she would request that state employees stop saying the pledge.
"Absolutely not. Freedom of speech is a critical part of our nation's constitution, and I will not infringe on that right with our state employees. I hope that our schools will continue to allow students to recite the pledge as well," she said.
According to legal experts, Friday's ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals could force millions of students to stop reciting the pledge by March 10 if the ruling is not overturned by a higher court.
"I find it simply unacceptable that children within the 9th Circuit could be barred from pledging their allegiance to our country. Our nation faces a potential war, and is still suffering from the fallout of 9/11," Governor Martz said. "We should not ask our children to stop saying the pledge - instead we must ensure that they fully understand the importance of and the meaning behind each word in the pledge."
###
