[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 186 Introduced in House (IH)]







104th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. J. RES. 186

    Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States 
   restoring the right of Americans to pray in public institutions, 
   including public school graduation ceremonies and athletic events.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 23, 1996

    Mr. Hefner introduced the following joint resolution; which was 
               referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
    Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States 
   restoring the right of Americans to pray in public institutions, 
   including public school graduation ceremonies and athletic events.

    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, (two-thirds of each House 
concurring therein), That the following article is hereby proposed as 
an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be 
valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution if 
ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States 
within 7 years from the date of its submission to the States by the 
Congress:

                              ``Article--

    ``Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to prohibit 
voluntary individual or group prayer in public schools or other public 
institutions, or to prohibit prayer at public school baccalaureate 
services, athletic events, or other extracurricular activities. No 
person shall be required by the United States or by any State to 
participate in prayer or to be present during any prayer. Neither the 
United States nor any State shall compose the words of any prayer to be 
said in public schools or other public institutions, or at events 
sponsored by public schools or other public institutions.''.
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