[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1905]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    VETERANS' MEMORIALS, BOY SCOUTS, PUBLIC SEALS, AND OTHER PUBLIC 
             EXPRESSIONS OF RELIGION PROTECTION ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 26, 2006

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2679, 
the ``Public Expression of Religion Act.'' This legislation would 
eliminate awarding attorney's fees to individuals who win lawsuits 
under the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. While the 
proponents argue that the bill would protect public officials from 
lawsuits, what the bill will actually do is deny citizens from 
exercising their freedom of religion.
  Without the ability to recoup legal fees, the costs to bring a 
lawsuit against a defendant would be too high for most people to 
afford. This body should not be enacting legislation to deny Americans 
their day in court.
  H.R. 2679 is opposed by groups including the American Civil Liberties 
Union, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, and the American 
Jewish Committee.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

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