[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 12, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               MOMENT OF QUIET REFLECTION IN SCHOOLS ACT

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                            HON. DAVID SCOTT

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 11, 2003

  Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to 
discuss legislation that I am introducing today that would establish a 
moment of quiet reflection in our public schools. I am pleased to be 
joined by Representatives McIntyre, Tanner, Shimkus, Stenholm, 
Lipinski, Frost, Lucas (KY), Meek, Pearce, Isakson, Renzi, Bordallo, 
and Bishop (GA) as cosponsors of my legislation.
  My legislation will provide for a period of quiet reflection at the 
opening of school on every school day. In today's hectic society, all 
too few of the country's citizens are able to experience a moment of 
quiet reflection before plunging headlong into the day's activities. 
The country's young citizens are particularly affected by this absence 
of an opportunity for a moment of quiet reflection. Therefore, the 
nation's youth, and society as a whole, would be well served if 
students were afforded a moment of quiet reflection at the beginning of 
each day in the public schools.
  In Georgia, I observed that after several killings on school campuses 
around the country, students came together to have a moment of quiet 
reflection. Noting that this moment of silence seemed to be beneficial 
and calming, I believe that providing students with an opportunity for 
quiet introspection at the beginning of each school day would help to 
combat violence among our students. Similar legislation in Georgia has 
been upheld by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh 
Circuit which ruled that a moment of quiet reflection does not violate 
the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
  On February 7, 2003, the U.S. Department of Education issued guidance 
on constitutionally protected prayer in public elementary and secondary 
schools. The Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public 
Elementary and Secondary Schools clarifies that as a condition of 
receiving Elementary and Secondary Education Act funds, state and local 
school agencies must certify that if a school has a ``minute of 
silence'' that students are free to pray silently, or not to pray, 
during these periods of time. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to 
support this legislation providing a moment of quiet reflection at the 
beginning of each school day.

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