[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 36 (Wednesday, March 19, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E520]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 19, 1997

  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, on March 5, 1997, I voted ``aye'' for rollcall 
No. 31, which expressed the sense of Congress that the display of the 
Ten Commandments in public buildings should be allowed. My vote was 
based on my personal brief in the Ten Commandments as a basic fundament 
of Christian doctrine. After further examination I came to the 
realization that, in spite of my personal beliefs, I must recognize 
that one's personal beliefs, including my own, cannot usurp the tenets 
which our country is based upon. One of those tenets is the separation 
of church and state. This measure is in direct opposition to the 
aforementioned principle. Thus, I would like the Record to reflect that 
I am not in support of this measure.

                          ____________________