[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 50 (Thursday, March 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E595]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   STATEMENT ON HOUSE RESOLUTION 153

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                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 27, 2003

  Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to explain my vote on House 
Resolution 153, a resolution ``recognizing the public need for fasting 
and prayer in order to secure the blessings of Providence for the 
people of the United States and our Armed Forces during the conflict in 
Iraq and under the threat of terrorism at home''.
  Like all Americans, I strongly support our nation's Armed Forces and 
hope for the successful completion of their mission in Iraq and their 
safe return home. But, upon taking the oath of office, each Member of 
Congress has sworn to uphold the Constitution. As such, we must 
carefully differentiate the intent of the resolution we vote on from 
its language.
  House Resolution 153 has the laudatory goal of protecting our troops 
and our citizens from harm. But, despite the sponsor's intentions, the 
actual language calling for prayer and fasting and asking for the 
intercession of Providence violates, in my view, our Constitutional 
obligation to respect the separation between church and state.
  The resolution may reflect the religious views of some of our 
citizens as well as some of our Members. But, it may also offend the 
religious views of others and, consequently, be divisive rather than 
unifying--a concern clearly anticipated by our Constitution. Thus, I 
cannot vote yes in support of the resolution.

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