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Bill 5176

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                      5176
Type of Legislation:              House Resolution HR
Introducing Body:                 House
Introduced Date:                  20000620
Primary Sponsor:                  Limehouse
All Sponsors:                     Limehouse, Haskins, H. Brown, Campsen, 
                                  Davenport, Gilham, Klauber, Martin, Rodgers, 
                                  Sharpe, D.C. Smith, Stille, Wilder and Wilkins
Drafted Document Number:          l:\council\bills\pt\2178dw00.doc
Date Bill Passed both Bodies:     20000620
Subject:                          Prayer, U.S. Supreme Court ruling which 
                                  rejects allowing in school districts; General 
                                  Assembly outrage; Education


                        History

Body    Date      Action Description                     Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  ______________________________________ _______ ____________
House   20000620  Introduced, adopted


              Versions of This Bill

TO CONDEMN THE RULING OF THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT IN ITS RECENT DECISION THAT REJECTS PRAYER IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND TO EXPRESS THE OUTRAGE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THIS ACTION BY THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT AND ITS DETRIMENTAL IMPACT ON THE CITIZENS OF OUR STATE AND COUNTRY.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were indeed saddened to hear yesterday that the United States Supreme Court delivered its strongest rejection to prayer in public schools in nearly a decade; and

Whereas, this decision forbids invocations at school activities, even when students organize them; and

Whereas, by this six to three ruling which involved prayer at football games in Texas, it probably will prevent such rituals at graduations and other school events; and

Whereas, ruling that pre-kickoff prayers violate the First Amendment's separation of church and state, the court provided a rather severe and direct condemnation of school-sanctioned prayer. With Justice John Paul Stevens writing, "School sponsorship of a religious message is impermissible because it (tells) members of the audience who are non-adherents that they are outsiders"; and

Whereas, we, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, are shocked and outraged that the highest court of our land would prohibit the expression by prayer of those who chose to do so; and

Whereas, the detrimental impact of this ruling will send shock waves throughout our country and our God-fearing society; and

Whereas, it is hoped that from the reaction to the ruling that interest will be renewed in a constitutional amendment to allow school prayer. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives condemn the ruling of the United States Supreme Court in its recent decision that rejects prayer in public school and express our outrage to this action by the United States Supreme Court and its detrimental impact on the citizens of our State and country.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Clerk of the United States Supreme Court.

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