Bobby Scott: “As pastors and leaders of predominately African American congregations across the country, we are writing urging you to…”

“As pastors and leaders of predominately African American congregations across the country, we are writing urging you to oppose passage of H.R. 2679, the ``Public Expression of Religion Act of 2005.'' Where would our nation be on the long march to ending segregation, providing equal education to all, ensuring free speech, enfranchising minorities and women to vote, and a host of other civil rights and civil liberties issues had damages and attorney's fees remedies been denied on those journeys? This legislation represents an attack on the most fundamental enforcement tools available to people whose religious liberty rights have been violated by singling out those who seek to enforce their constitutional rights under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. This is a blatant attack on the religious freedoms of all people of faith. Religious expression is not threatened by the enforcement of the Establishment Clause, but is protected by it.”