[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 53 (Thursday, May 2, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H2091]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    DISPLAYING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

  (Mr. KERNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KERNS. Mr. Speaker, on this National Day of Prayer, citizens all 
across our great Nation will gather to give thanks to our Father in 
heaven for the blessings we have received and to ask humbly for His 
mercy.
  On this day it is important that we recognize the role faith and 
religion plays in our Nation from its founding to the present day.
  The Ten Commandments have been fundamental to the development of the 
basic legal principles of western civilization and our Nation. They 
have set forth a code of moral conduct that promises respect for our 
system of laws and the general good of society. Considering the 
positive influence they have had in our Nation, I believe we should 
proudly display the Ten Commandments and recognize the contributions 
they have made to the United States.

                              {time}  1700

  While some would have them removed all religious references from the 
public square, the historical facts cannot be ignored. There are 
liberal organizations that have twisted the first amendment and use the 
threat of costly lawsuits to restrict religious expression in our 
Nation. In the face of this pressure, we must stand together and work 
to reverse this trend.
  In Montgomery County, Indiana, one individual with the support of the 
Indiana Civil Liberties Union based the threat of a lawsuit to have the 
Ten Commandments removed from the courthouse square. I found that 
alarming. In fact, it was a motivating factor for this legislation I 
wrote and introduced to require the display of the Ten Commandments 
here in the United States Capitol.
  Our legislation has 31 cosponsors, and that is 31 Members of 
Congress. We are gaining support. On this National Day of Prayer, Mr. 
Speaker, I ask that we pray for our Nation, and we continue to have 
respect for our God.

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