Political Quotes

“The problem that Mr. Flores is seeking to address here is a real problem in our country. Students, teachers, and school administrators of faith, particularly teachers, students, and school administrators of minority faiths, are frequently under peer pressure--at times, perhaps, coupled with pressure through official channels--not to exercise their free religion in schools. There have been instances in this country of Muslim teachers--Muslim women--being told not to wear their hijabs at schools. A situation could arise when a man of the Sikh faith, who would carry a ceremonial knife with him, might be told he cannot carry his ceremonial knife at a school because it violates another policy. So, too, many educators and students who are atheists or humanists are often intimidated and afraid to proudly proclaim their lack of faith on their clothing or through their words and deeds. Correctly done, this amendment would allow Muslims and atheists and other members of minority faiths to proudly proclaim their faiths in our schools, and it would give them the opportunity to talk with others while on the school grounds during the school day. There should be no discrimination against students, teachers, or school administrators based on their faiths, and you don't park your First Amendment rights at the door to the schoolhouse. Now, there are different rules with regard to students, as we know.…”