[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 53 (Friday, May 5, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON VOLUNTARY PRAYER

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                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2006

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, today is a significant day for me, the 
people of West Virginia and the Nation. Today we commemorate the 
National Day of Prayer.
  As a people of faith, we know that prayer is a powerful instrument. 
And as one Nation under God, we know that many times our most powerful 
tool is prayer.
  With that in mind and in celebration of National Prayer Day, today I 
have proposed in the House of Representatives a Constitutional 
Amendment that would restore voluntary prayer in our Nation's schools.
  West Virginia's senior Senator, Robert C. Byrd, introduced identical 
legislation in the United States Senate last week.
  I believe that the Framers of the Constitution made their intent 
clear when they wrote the First Amendment. I believe they wanted to 
keep the new government from endorsing one religion over another, not 
erase the public consciousness or common faith.
  For hundreds of millions of Americans who believe in God, prayer is 
our bridge between Earth and Heaven, our way of opening our hearts to 
the Lord. Through this intimate relationship we find peace and 
guidance. It is as important to us, as Christians, as the air we 
breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat. It nourishes our souls 
and makes us strong.
  Nothing in this Constitution, including any amendment to the 
Constitution, shall be construed to prohibit voluntary prayer or 
require prayer in school, or to prohibit voluntary prayer or require 
prayer at a public school extracurricular activity. Nor does this 
resolution alter the language of the First Amendment.
  The Constitutional Amendment I am introducing today simply clarifies 
our right, and the right of our children in school, to bow our heads 
and give thanks for our bountiful blessings, to begin the day as many 
of us do--with the comfort of prayer. It is a right that is protected 
by both the Free Speech and Free Exercise Clauses of our Constitution.
  Today, during the National Day of Prayer, I am reminded of the verse 
in Second Chronicles that reads, ``If my people, who are called by my 
name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from 
their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their 
sin and will heal their land.''
  Today we thank God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon this 
great Country and ask Him to continue to heal our land and meet our 
needs--and we do so through the power of prayer.

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