Political Quotes

“a few weeks ago in my district we held a government reform subcommittee hearing on the effectiveness of faith-based organizations. And our chairman is exactly right. These are priceless national resources. There is an issue that I am familiar with and today I must rise in opposition to the Woolsey amendment to strike the faith-based provision from the School Readiness Act. I have listened to the debate on this bill in subcommittee and here on the floor, and actually I have been surprised at the level of false information being used to defeat what is an excellent aspect of this legislation. This bill does not ignore or undermine civil rights laws. Instead, it brings the Head Start program up to date with them. The Civil Rights Act was amended in 1972 by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act because Congress recognized that there needed to be a more defined relationship between church and State. Indeed, these changes were made in response to concerns that government might interfere with the affairs of religious organizations. As the law is written now, a church or religious institution can set up a Head Start center, but they have to give up their right to hire based on a person's religion, something that most are not willing to do. And in many communities there is a great need to establish more Head Start centers. Think how many more children would be served if the restriction were removed.”