IA

107TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. J. RES. 54

Recognizing the authority of public schools to allow students to exercise

their constitutional rights by establishing a period of time for silent

prayer or meditation or reflection, encouraging the recitation of the

Pledge of Allegiance, and refusing to discriminate against individuals

or groups on account of their religious character or speech.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JUNE 21, 2001

Mr. SMITH of Texas (for himself, Mr. RAHALL, Mr. HALL of Texas, Mr.

ENGLISH, Mr. TANCREDO, Mr. HILLEARY, Mr. BARR of Georgia, Mr.

SOUDER, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, and Mr. BUYER) introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce,

for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case

for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the

committee concerned

JOINT RESOLUTION

Recognizing the authority of public schools to allow students

to exercise their constitutional rights by establishing a

period of time for silent prayer or meditation or reflection, encouraging the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, and refusing to discriminate against individuals

or groups on account of their religious character or

speech.

Whereas in each public school classroom, the teacher in

charge may set aside a period of time, which students
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may use for silent prayer or meditation or reflection, a

period that is not intended to be and shall not be set

aside as a religious service or exercise, but shall be considered as an opportunity for silent prayer or meditation

or reflection;

Whereas public schools have the responsibility to foster love

of country by allowing students the opportunity to exercise their right to recite the Pledge of Allegiance each

day; and

Whereas public schools, in evaluating requests for use of public school facilities during noninstructional time and requests for other privileges, may not discriminate against

individuals or groups on account of their religious character or speech: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

4 This Resolution may be cited as the ‘‘Students’

5 Rights Resolution of 2001’’.

6 SEC. 2. STUDENTS’ RIGHTS RESOLUTION.

7 (a) RECOGNITION OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.—

8 Congress recognizes the right, as established by the Con9 stitution and upheld by the Supreme Court, of all Ameri10 cans to freely exercise their religion.

11 (b) RECOGNITION OF STUDENTS’ RIGHTS.—Con12 gress recognizes the constitutional right of students in

13 public schools to participate in a daily period of time to

14 be used for silent prayer or meditation or reflection and
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1 to recite the Pledge of Allegiance; and the right of reli2 gious groups to have equal access to school facilities with3 out discrimination on account of religious character or

4 speech.

5 (c) PROTECTION OF STUDENTS’ RIGHTS.—It is the

6 sense of Congress that public schools should act to protect

7 these constitutional rights by establishing a period of time

8 for silent prayer or meditation or reflection, establishing

9 a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, and accommo10 dating religious groups by granting equal access rather

11 than discriminating on account of their religious character

12 or speech.

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