[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 28 (Thursday, March 6, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E412]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E412]]



                    DISPLAY OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 5, 1997

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to House 
Concurrent Resolution 31, which expresses the sense of Congress 
regarding the display of the Ten Commandments in Government offices and 
courthouses.
  While supporters of this resolution would have the American public be 
fooled about the nature of this resolution, I stand to tell the 
American people the truth.
  This resolution is in clear violation of the Constitution of the 
United States. It is a violation of the establishment clause of the 
Constitution. I am not in favor of violating the Constitution. Nor am I 
in favor of trying to fool the American people.
  Some in this Chamber would have the American people believe that a 
vote against this resolution is a vote against the Ten Commandments. 
This is certainly not the case.
  The Supreme Court has been quite clear on this subject. In Stone 
versus Graham, the Court struck down a Kentucky law which required the 
posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools. In Harveyand 
Cunningham versus Cobb County, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals 
held that a display of the Ten Commandments was unconstitutional.
  I am a strong supporter of the freedom of expression and religion 
which is inherent in the first amendment to the Constitution.
  The Ten Commandments are the basic precepts upon which many society's 
laws are based. They have not changed. They are still taught by 
families and countless religious denominations in the United States and 
around the world.
  The Ten Commandments have, and will continue to be the foundation for 
religious instruction.
  We should continue to uphold the Constitution of the United States 
and reject this resolution.

                          ____________________