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Washington, DC -- Congressman David Davis today offered an amendment to the 21st Century High-Performing Public School Facilities Act in the House Committee on Education and Labor. The amendment would prohibit public schools from having policies in place that would prevent or deny participation in constitutionally-protected prayer. Davis issued the following statement on his school prayer amendment:
“My amendment would require as a condition of receiving federal funds under this act, that local schools cannot have any policy in place that prevents or denies participation in constitutionally-protected prayer in public schools. Local educational agencies that receive funds under the Act will have to certify in writing to the State educational agency that it is complying with the school prayer provisions included in the No Child Left Behind Act.
“It was not long ago when most schools started the day with prayers or devotions. It is my belief that this helped foster a better sense of morality and responsibility. This amendment would ensure that students and teachers have the same right that we enjoy in Congress to voluntarily join together in spoken prayer without fear of violating the law. The founding fathers not only set out this right, but also fought for its very existence.
“Over the years, we’ve heard numerous stories about students who were disciplined for praying in public schools -- from prayer before eating lunch to praying at football games.
“It is for this reason that the language surrounding school prayer was put in NCLB to protect the constitutional right to freely practice one’s religion.
“I believe that the right to voluntary prayer is vital to the future of our children and this Nation. This amendment upholds that right.”
The Davis amendment would require a local educational agency that receives funds under the 21st Century High-Performing Public School Facilities Act to certify in writing to the State educational agency that it is complying with the school prayer provisions included in the No Child Left Behind Act.
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