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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 15, 2013 10:23 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Mark B. Cohen |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Resolution - “Public School Religious Freedom Month” |
In the near future, I plan to introduce a resolution designating June 2013 as “Public School Religious Freedom Month” in Pennsylvania. This resolution recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in School District of Abington Township, Pennsylvania v. Schempp handed down on June 17, 1963, which struck down public school-sponsored Bible reading and prayer as unconstitutional. You may recall that Pennsylvania schools were required by law to provide prayer even though it often conflicted with the personal religious perspectives of nonbelievers, agnostics, atheists and believers of many different faiths. School-sponsored Bible reading and prayer also violated the First Amendment of the United States Constitution providing for separation of religion and government. We must remember the importance of the First Amendment and the individual rights of others to prevent regression and repeat these actions in the future. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important resolution. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Seidl of my office at kseidl@pahouse.net or 7-4117. Thank you. |
Introduced as HR351