Political Quotes

“let me just say first that the Boy Scouts, I think, reflect the standards, of course, that we hope for in terms of all young men in our country, and so that is why I believe that this amendment would be dangerous in terms of restricting the use of Federal funds from schools and school districts that choose to stand against the Boy Scouts' discriminatory policies. Now, this amendment is really unnecessary. It is an unwarranted intrusion into a local school district's ability to set standards for the use of their own facilities. I am very concerned that Congress would eliminate vital funds for our children's schools simply because their school system stands up against discrimination. It also bestows upon the Boy Scouts and other youth groups unique rights that are not available to other student-led groups. The first amendment already guarantees the Boy Scouts the right to use any school or public facility to the same extent and in the same manner as any other group allowed to use those facilities. So the Hilleary amendment will transform these schools into open forums requiring them to allow anti-gay groups to use school premises regardless of a local school board's decision on the matter. So I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment.”