[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 540 Introduced in Senate (IS)]








109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 540

 Encouraging all 50 States to recognize and accommodate the release of 
   public school pupils from school attendance to attend off-campus 
religious classes at their churches, synagogues, houses of worship, and 
                       faith-based organizations.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 24, 2006

 Mr. DeMint submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                     the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Encouraging all 50 States to recognize and accommodate the release of 
   public school pupils from school attendance to attend off-campus 
religious classes at their churches, synagogues, houses of worship, and 
                       faith-based organizations.

Whereas the free exercise of religion is an inherent, fundamental, and 
        inalienable right secured by the 1st amendment to the Constitution of 
        the United States;
Whereas the free exercise of religion is important to the intellectual, moral, 
        civic, and ethical development of students in the United States;
Whereas the free exercise of religion must be conducted in a constitutionally 
        appropriate manner;
Whereas, in Zorach v. Clauson, 343 U.S. 306 (1952), the United States Supreme 
        Court held that a statute that provides for the release of public school 
        pupils from school attendance to attend religious classes is 
        constitutional if--

    (1) the programs take place away from school grounds;

    (2) school officials do not promote attendance at religious classes; 
and

    (3) the solicitation of students to attend is not done at the expense 
of public schools; and

Whereas the Constitution of the United States and the laws of the States allow 
        the school districts of the States to release public school pupils from 
        school attendance to attend religious classes: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) calls on all 50 States to recognize and accommodate 
        those churches, faith-based organizations, and individuals that 
        wish to release public school pupils from school attendance to 
        attend religious classes; and
            (2) respectfully requests the President of the United 
        States to proclaim the third week of November 2006 as ``Bible 
        Education in School Time Week''.
                                 <all>