[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 138 (Wednesday, October 13, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H9959]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 DEMOCRATS WHO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE ARE 
                         ALSO RELIGIOUS PEOPLE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Brown) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening because I 
listened to several of my Republican colleagues on the floor last 
night, and I was very disturbed by what I heard. The Members implied 
that because Democrats continue to support separation of church and 
State we are not religious people. As a child growing up in 
Jacksonville, Florida, the district I now represent, my religion was 
the cornerstone of my life. It still is today. In fact, my church is 
more to me than a place I visit on Sunday. It is my home. It is a 
family gathering place and it is a real part of the community I 
represent.
  My Republican colleagues would have people believe that Democrats are 
anti-faith. This is a lie. Democrats believe in the separation of 
church and State. We believe that every person has the right to choose 
their religion. We do not believe it is up to the House of 
Representatives to dictate how and where our faith should be expressed. 
Our constituents did not elect us to be their spiritual leaders. They 
do not turn to C-SPAN for healing. Rather, they expect us to vote for 
the programs and policies that mirrors their beliefs. This is how they 
judge us.
  Do we support Head Start and school lunch programs, education? Do we 
support saving Social Security and protecting public education? This is 
the reason we have been sent to Washington, not to preach but to 
support the things that are important to the people who sent us here.

                          ____________________