[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 199 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 199

 Expressing the sense of the Congress that prayers and invocations at 
public school sporting events contribute to the moral foundation of our 
 Nation and urging the Supreme Court to uphold their constitutionality.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 19, 1999

    Mr. Bonilla (for himself, Mr. Stenholm, Mr. Brady of Texas, Mr. 
   Sandlin, Mr. Thornberry, Mr. Paul, Mr. Combest, Mr. Sessions, Mr. 
Shows, Mr. Smith of Texas, Mr. Barton of Texas, Mr. Dickey, Mr. Ortiz, 
  Mr. Wicker, Mr. Watts of Oklahoma, Mr. Green of Texas, Mr. Hall of 
 Texas, Mr. McIntyre, Mr. Pickering, Mr. John, Mr. Lucas of Kentucky, 
   and Mr. Taylor of Mississippi) submitted the following concurrent 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the Congress that prayers and invocations at 
public school sporting events contribute to the moral foundation of our 
 Nation and urging the Supreme Court to uphold their constitutionality.

Whereas prayers at public school sporting events are entirely consistent with 
        our American heritage of seeking Divine guidance and protection in all 
        of our undertakings;
Whereas sporting events provide a significant and long-lasting impact in 
        character and values development among young people;
Whereas prayers and invocations have been demonstrated to positively affect the 
        fair play and sportsmanlike behavior of both players and spectators at 
        sporting events;
Whereas lower court rulings about prayer at sporting events have placed school 
        and community leaders in the difficult position of choosing between 
        conflicting values, rights, and laws;
Whereas congressional leaders have found value in beginning each legislative day 
        with prayers; and
Whereas statements of belief in a Supreme Power and the virtue of seeking 
        strength and protection from that Power are prevalent throughout our 
        national history, currency, and rituals: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) prayers and invocations at public school sporting 
        events are constitutional under the First Amendment to the 
        Constitution; and
            (2) the Supreme Court, accordingly, should uphold the 
        constitutionality of such practices.
                                 <all>