I want to do nothing with my amendment, nor do I do a single thing with my amendment, to discourage voluntary constitutional prayer in school. In fact my amendment says: No funds authorized to be appropriated under this act may be used by any State or local education agency to adopt policies to prevent voluntary prayer and meditation. Mr. Chairman, like all of my colleagues, I went to school, and I will bet, like all of my colleagues, I prayed in school, particularly every time there was a Spanish test or an algebra test. So, all of us have a deep respect for morality, religion, ethical behavior, and I refuse to allow my colleagues on either side of the aisle, particularly those on the far right, to claim some corner or monopoly over morality and ethical behavior. We believe in it, too. That is not at stake here.
John Williams: “I want to do nothing with my amendment, nor do I do a single thing with my amendment, to discourage voluntary…”
Editor's note · Context
Discussing an amendment related to voluntary prayer in schools during a debate.
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