Cliff Stearns: “I rise today in support of the motion to instruct conferees to accept the Senate provisions to H.R. 6 supporting…”

“I rise today in support of the motion to instruct conferees to accept the Senate provisions to H.R. 6 supporting constitutionally protected school prayer. This language passed the Senate by a margin of 77-25 and is similar to language that passed the House by a vote of 269-135 in 1989. It would apply only to voluntary prayer and would expressly prohibit any State or local education agency from requiring any person to participate in or influence the form or content of these prayers. Every day, both Houses of this Congress open with a prayer. No Member is compelled to participate against his or her will, but the opportunity to take a moment for spiritual reflection is valued by many of us. However, for those students in our public schools who seek to pray voluntarily at landmark events such as high school graduation or who want the opportunity to take a moment for silent reflection at the beginning of their school day, this right is under constant attack. For too long, our constitutionally protected right of freedom of religion has been misinterpreted and distorted into a Government-mandated denial of the right to exercise religion.”