Senator Golden Statement on Failure of Democrats to Recite the Pledge of Allegiance in State Senate Chamber

Albany- State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) today is issuing a statement in response to the failure of all of New York’s Democratic State Senators to join their Republican colleagues in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of yesterday’s special session.

     Senator Marty Golden stated, “I was shocked that with all 62 State Senators in the historic Senate chamber, only 31 Republican members stood up and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. It is the normal order of business for the New York State Senate at the start of each day of session and, for elected officials to dismiss their civic duty, is by far one of the most unpatriotic acts I have ever witnessed.”

     Senator Golden continued, “There is never an appropriate reason to fail to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in a public gathering when the Pledge is called for.  It is not acceptable,  and can not be tolerated. The Democratic members, particularly, my colleagues from Brooklyn, need to show a greater respect for the words that are a symbol of what this country stands for.”