Norvell Emerson: “I rise today in strong support of the motion to recommit the conference report on Goals 2000 with instructions. We've…”

“I rise today in strong support of the motion to recommit the conference report on Goals 2000 with instructions. We've been through this before folks. I think it is sad that opponents of voluntary school prayer have to use a backdoor maneuver in conference to strip our language that has overwhelmingly passed both the House and Senate in recent weeks and substitute the Williams language. The Williams language preserves the status quo--we would continue to allow schools to violate the Constitution. Nothing would change. This language failed when attempted during debate on H.R. 6 just this week. Our motion to instruct conferees on Goals 2000 legislation passed by voice vote a few weeks ago and the identical language passed the Senate by a convincing vote of 77-22 last month. Just a few days ago my colleague Sam Johnson of Texas offered an amendment on behalf of Mr. Duncan and myself to H.R. 6 containing this same language that passed overwhelmingly 355-64. Mr. Williams had the opportunity to offer his language and call for a vote. His amendment failed. What is the problem here? Is the message not crystal clear? There is strong support for voluntary prayer in our public schools in Congress and in America. I urge you to support our motion to recommit this bill with instructions to reincorporate the Duncan language in place of the watered-down, meaningless Williams language.”