Walter B. Jones: “tonight I would like to take just a few moments simply because on November 13 this House debated a concurrent…”

“tonight I would like to take just a few moments simply because on November 13 this House debated a concurrent resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 239, and the House actually passed the resolution on November 15 by a vote of 297 to 125, with one Member voting present. I would like to read to the House what the resolution said, and then I want to give the reason why I am on the floor tonight for these few minutes. The resolution said, ``Expressing the sense of Congress that schools in the United States should set aside a sufficient period of time to allow children to pray for or quietly reflect on behalf of the Nation during this time of struggle against the forces of internal terrorism.'' Mr. Speaker, I was a little bit surprised the night of November 13. I should not say ``disappointed,'' because the House is the people's House, and all of us who serve here have the privilege to our own opinions and we can express those opinions. However, on that night, three Members of the Democratic Party came to speak in opposition of House Concurrent Resolution 239: the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott), and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards), all three of whom I have great respect for; and I acknowledged that night during the debate that I did have respect for each one as a very fine Member of Congress. We just disagreed on this issue. Mr. Speaker, this Nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles.…”