Speech #970012491

Calcutta. and Harvard. Whereas in World War I Douglas Clyde Macintosh voluntarily saw service as a chaplain with the Canadian army at Vimy Ridge and in the Battle of the Somme. lectured on behalf of the Allies in the United States. and operated an American Y.M.C.A. outpost at the front until the Armistice in 1918. Whereas in 1931 the Supreme Court of the United States. in the case of United States versus Macintosh (283 US. 605 (1931)). affirmed the decision of the Federal District Court of Connecticut denying Douglas Clyde Macintoshs petition for naturalization as a citizen of the United States because he would not promise to bear arms in defense of the United States unless he believed the war to be morally justified. Whereas in proceedings before the District Court Douglas Clyde Macintosh stated that he was ready to give to the United States all the allegiance he had ever given or ever could give any country. but could not put allegiance to the government of any country before allegiance to the will of God. Whereas in 1946. in the case of Girouard versus United States (328 US. 61 (1946)). the Supreme Court of the United States overruled the decision of United States versus Macintosh. Whereas Douglas Clyde Macintosh suffered an incapacitating stroke in 1942 making him unable to renew his petition for naturalization. Whereas one of the cardinal principles upon which this nation was founded is the unalienab!e riht to the free excrcdse of religion. according to the dictates of conscience. and Whereas Douglas Clyde Macintosh died in 1948 without receiving vindication for his personal sufferings on behalf of that principle: Now. therefore. be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That the President is authorized and directed to declare by proclamation that Douglas Clyde Macintosh is an honorary citizen of the United States.