PRINTER'S NO. 1205
No. 97 Session of 1997
INTRODUCED BY BAKER, GEIST, ARMSTRONG, LYNCH, SCHULER, SHANER,
READSHAW, FARGO, FICHTER, GEORGE, HERSHEY, E. Z. TAYLOR,
THOMAS, WAUGH, PETTIT, HORSEY, LaGROTTA, SATHER, FLEAGLE,
MELIO, TIGUE, MASLAND, CHADWICK, GIGLIOTTI, BELARDI,
FAIRCHILD, GORDNER, HESS, BROWN, YEWCIC, MAITLAND, KENNEY,
CLYMER, TRUE, PLATTS, SERAFINI, ADOLPH, STABACK, OLASZ, LEH,
STERN, PHILLIPS, BUNT, McNAUGHTON, HENNESSEY, DeLUCA,
COLAFELLA, SCHRODER, HUTCHINSON, MILLER, LUCYK AND
BENNINGHOFF, APRIL 2, 1997
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS,
APRIL 2, 1997
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1 Memorializing the Congress of the United States to propose an
2 amendment to the Constitution of the United States which
3 would allow children in public schools to engage in certain
4 forms of prayer and Bible readings.
5 WHEREAS, Voluntary prayer, Bible readings and the
6 acknowledgment of God form an important part of our governmental
7 and cultural tradition in the United States; and
8 WHEREAS, The importance of God in our national life is
9 evident from the fact that:
10 (1) The Declaration of Independence declares that
11 mankind's inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit
12 of happiness is an endowment from God.
13 (2) The national anthem affirms our trust in Almighty
14 God.
15 (3) The pledge of allegiance to our country officially
1 recognizes the primacy of God.
2 (4) The writings of our founding fathers are replete
3 with prayers and references to God.
4 (5) Chaplains are provided, at taxpayer expense, to
5 provide religious services for the members of the armed
6 forces.
7 (6) The session day of each chamber of the General
8 Assembly and of Congress is opened with a prayer in which the
9 guidance of Almighty God is sought; and
10 WHEREAS, Voluntary prayer and Bible readings formed an
11 important part of our tradition of public education for nearly
12 200 years until the United States Supreme Court ordered that
13 prayer be taken out of our public schools; and
14 WHEREAS, Public opinion surveys establish that a majority of
15 the American people believe that children should be allowed to
16 engage in voluntary prayer in our public schools; and
17 WHEREAS, Congressional action on proposals to amend the
18 Constitution of the United States in order to restore the right
19 of our children to engage in voluntary prayer and Bible readings
20 in schools is long overdue; therefore be it
21 RESOLVED (the Senate concurring), That the General Assembly
22 of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania memorialize Congress to
23 propose an amendment to the Constitution of the United States
24 which would allow children to engage in voluntary prayer and to
25 participate in Bible readings in our public schools and would
26 allow prayer by clergy and students during baccalaureate and
27 graduation ceremonies; and be it further
28 RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
29 the presiding officers of each house of Congress and to each
30 member of Congress from Pennsylvania.
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