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U.S. Congressmen are now being prohibited from using references to God in official correspondence from the Capitol building including, "under God" in the pledge, "God bless you," or "in the year of our Lord, 2007." Never before has this official prohibition ever been leveled.
David Barton
"Lawmaker Protests Censorship of 'God'," Thursday, October 04, 2007 by Jim Abrams, AP Writer http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Oct04/0,4670,FlagDispute,00.html
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For Immediate Release
September 17, 2007
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Contact: Aaron Johnson
(202) 225-4676
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Rep. Musgrave Stands Up To Threats To Religious Freedom In Washington
Congresswoman defends right of lawmakers to reference God in official business
Washington, DC: Recently, Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo) was astonished when she flew a flag over the U.S. Capitol Building as a tribute to a senior citizen, and the accompanying certificate she received was edited with all religious references removed.
The Congresswoman was more astounded when, upon further investigation, she discovered the certificate was censored by order of the Architect of the Capitol, an unelected official who manages the flag office and other various operations within the Capitol Building.
Responding to a request for a flag flown over the United States Capitol in honor of a World War II veteran's 81st birthday, the Congresswoman ordered the flag and a certificate to state: "This flag was flown for Mr. John Doe on the occasion of his 81st birthday, the eleventh day of July, in the year of our Lord, 2007. Thank you, Grandpa, for showing me what it is to be a true patriot -- to love God, family, and country. We love you!"
When the flag and certificate came back from the flag office, each reference to the Lord and God were removed.
In response, Congresswoman Musgrave alerted two of her colleagues. Joining her were Congressman Randy Forbes (R-VA) and Congressman Michael Turner (R-OH). This group of lawmakers confronted Architect Stephen Ayers seeking to find the authority he was given to restrict their freedom of speech and religious expression.
Failing to provide the lawmakers a clear justification of his authority, the Architect has stood his ground and warned that because reference to God and the Lord may offend some Americans he prohibits them from being placed on official documents such as flag certificates.
"Our Founding Fathers fought against this sort of tyranny so every American citizen could freely express themselves and practice their religion. It's unfathomable that a bureaucrat in Washington today would think it is acceptable to silence the religious expression of lawmakers," said Musgrave.
"Flying flags over the Capitol is a traditional way to honor local residents. I was shocked when it came back with a censored certificate. I was even more shocked by the lack of reason the Architect has shown. He clearly has no basis for his actions and has displayed poor judgment on this matter," continued Musgrave.
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Marilyn Musgrave began serving in the United States House of Representatives in January 2003, and she represents Colorado's Fourth Congressional District. Musgrave is a member of the House Committees on Agriculture, Education and the Workforce, Resources, and Small Business. To learn more about Rep. Musgrave please visit her official website at http://www.house.gov/musgrave.
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