[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 14629-14636]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



     RECOGNIZING NATIONAL NEED FOR RECONCILIATION AND HEALING AND 
                 RECOMMENDING A CALL FOR DAYS OF PRAYER

  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 94) recognizing the public need 
for reconciliation and healing, urging the United States to unite in 
seeking God, and recommending that the Nation's leaders call for days 
of prayer.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 94

       Whereas it is the necessary duty of the people of this 
     Nation not only to humbly offer up our prayers and needs to 
     Almighty God, but also in a solemn and public manner to 
     confess our shortcomings;
       Whereas it is incumbent on all public bodies, as well as 
     private persons, to revere and rely on God Almighty for our 
     day-to-day existence, as well as to follow the charge to love 
     and serve one another;
       Whereas we have witnessed the rejection of God's love 
     through gratuitous violence and mayhem, hate, abuse, 
     exploitation, abandonment, and other harms, much of which has 
     been directed at the most vulnerable of our society, our 
     children;
       Whereas oppression, violence, cultural and ethnic division, 
     strife, and murder have stained our communities and the 
     world;
       Whereas we are compelled to remind the people of the United 
     States of the events that currently burden the hearts of the 
     people, including--
       (1) the senseless murder of our young people in Jonesboro, 
     Arkansas, West Paduca, Kentucky, Springfield, Oregon, Pearl, 
     Mississippi, and Littleton, Colorado;
       (2) the brutal deaths of individuals by dragging, beating, 
     burning, and exposure in Texas, Alabama, and Wyoming; and
       (3) the civil unrest, systematic genocide, and religious 
     and political persecution in Yugoslavia, Tibet, Turkey, 
     China, Rwanda, and Sudan;
       Whereas despite all, we as a Nation have been blessed with 
     great prosperity and an unprecedented period of economic 
     stability, for which we owe a debt of gratitude; and
       Whereas in previous times of public need and moral crisis, 
     the Congress and the President have recommended the 
     observance of a day of solemn prayer, fasting, and 
     humiliation: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) recognizes the unique opportunity that the dawn of a 
     millennium presents to a people in a Nation under God to 
     humble and reconcile themselves with God and with one 
     another;
       (2) urges all Americans to unite in seeking the face of God 
     through humble prayer and fasting, persistently asking God to 
     send spiritual strength and a renewed sense of humility to 
     the Nation so that hate and indifference may be replaced with 
     love and compassion, and so that the suffering in the Nation 
     and the world may be healed by the hand of God; and
       (3) recommends that the leaders in national, State, and 
     local governments, in business, and in the clergy appoint, 
     and call the

[[Page 14630]]

     people they serve to observe, a day of solemn prayer, 
     fasting, and humiliation before God.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Idaho (Mrs. Chenoweth) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Idaho (Mrs. Chenoweth).


                             General Leave

  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
on House Concurrent Resolution 94.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Idaho?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very grateful to have this opportunity to be able 
to bring House Concurrent Resolution 94 to the House in recognition of 
our national need for reconciliation and healing and calling for days 
of prayer, fasting and repentance.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 94 is patterned after what was once common 
practice by national and State elected leaders, from the Revolutionary 
War to the Civil War, ending with President Abraham Lincoln's great 
proclamation of March, 1863, calling for a national day of humiliation, 
fasting and prayer.

                              {time}  1700

  In fact during this period, from the Revolutionary War to the Civil 
War, over 200 such resolutions were made. These proclamations literally 
called for a day or days where the people of this Nation refrained from 
working and humbly sought grace and forgiveness from God almighty 
through prayer and fasting in the tradition of the Old Testament's call 
for solemn assemblies.
  Mr. Speaker, what drove these great leaders to call the Nation to 
pray, and I ask why should we do that again today? Well, consider the 
powerful words of Abraham Lincoln in this 1863 proclamation during 
perhaps the most difficult and tumultuous time in our Nation's history, 
and I quote from that proclamation:

       We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and 
     prosperity. And we have grown in numbers and wealth and power 
     as no other Nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. 
     We have forgotten the gracious hand which has preserved us in 
     peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and 
     we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, 
     that all these blessings were produced by some superior 
     wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken 
     success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the 
     necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to 
     pray to God that made us. It behooves us then to humble 
     ourselves before the offended power to confess our national 
     sins and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.

  Mr. Speaker, as we reflect upon the problems that we are experiencing 
today, these great words are no less applicable. We, as a Nation, are 
witnessing with increased regularity callous acts of violence and 
murder, a disregard of life, exploitation of children, indifference to 
suffering, the breakdown of families, and, we know, a general moral 
decay. Much has been spoken about the events of mass murder and mayhem 
in places such as Colorado and Oregon and Arkansas, but every day we 
are hearing of new brutalities being committed against the most 
vulnerable in our society.
  Mr. Speaker, why is this happening? We should listen to the words of 
Darrel Scott, a very brave father who testified before the House 
Committee on the Judiciary whose daughter was gunned down and killed at 
Columbine High School and whose son witnessed before his very eyes the 
murder of his two best friends, and I quote Mr. Scott when he said:

       I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a 
     tragedy. It was a spiritual event that should be forcing us 
     to look at where the real blame lies. What has happened to us 
     as a Nation? Well, we have refused to honor God, and in doing 
     so, we open the doors to hatred and violence. We do not need 
     more restrictive laws. We do not need more religion. We do 
     need a change of heart and humble acknowledgment that this 
     Nation was founded on the principles of simple trust in God.

  Mr. Speaker, Darrel Scott's words ring true. Having trust and faith 
in God means more than prayers, it means more than just going to 
church. It means humbly accepting the charge to serve and possess 
compassion and love and moral stability and to be humble. Humility 
means not only acknowledging God as the source of our blessings as 
individuals and as a Nation and the strength that we possess in 
adversity, but also recognizing our sins before God as individuals and 
as a Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, we are the greatest Nation on Earth because we have one 
by one overcome weakness and evils which have plagued the world for 
centuries and even millennia. We have conquered imperialism and 
replaced it with democracy. We replaced State oppression with 
inalienable individual rights. We abolished the human indignity of 
slavery. We instituted equality for people of all colors and creeds. We 
have created unprecedented wealth and prosperity for numerous classes 
of people. Indeed we as a Nation have faced many numerous other 
challenges such as segregation, economic disparity and the great 
depression, the great evil of Nazi aggression and the Cold War.
  Mr. Speaker, are we too presumptuous to suggest that we accomplished 
these great victories on our own? Indeed we as a Nation have the 
courage, the strength to face these trials because we are a Nation who 
relies on the hand of God. God, in return, has poured out his blessings 
on this Nation because the principles that we are fighting for were 
righteous and true.
  Mr. Speaker, in truth, the very foundation of this Nation is biased 
and based on faith in God and belief in moral principles. This was a 
point well understood by the founders of this Nation. Just to use one 
of the many quotes, John Adams said and I quote:

       We have no government armed with the power capable of 
     contending with human passions which would be unbridled by 
     morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a 
     moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the 
     government of any other.

  And Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville wrote back about the greatness of 
America in 1843 when he wrote:

       I sought for the key to the greatness and genius of America 
     in her harbors, in her fertile fields and boundless forests, 
     in her rich minds and vast world commerce, in her public 
     school systems and institutions of learning. I sought for it 
     in her democratic Congress and in her matchless Constitution. 
     But not until I went into the churches of America and heard 
     her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the 
     secret of her genius and power. America is great because 
     America is good,

he wrote,

     and when America ceases to be good, America will cease to be 
     great.

  Mr. Speaker, we live in a remarkable era. The dawn of a new 
millennium, a dramatic expansion of technologies and an unprecedented 
period of economic stability have led to even greater wealth and 
comforts of life for this Nation. But we simply cannot continue down 
the road where hate, uncivility, and bloodshed flourishes and expect 
the blessings of this prosperity to continue. This resolution does not 
resolve our problems, but it does move us and focus us to the source 
from where we should seek our guidance and our national healing.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Once H. Con. Res. 94 
passes, then the religious and civic leaders of our State and our 
Nation follow the charge we give them and establish solemn assemblies 
of prayer and fasting as their discipline would call for perhaps then 
love and compassion will replace hate and indifference.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 5 minutes.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Idaho (Mrs. 
Chenoweth) for sponsoring and bringing the resolution to the floor 
today. This legislation provides us time for an important discussion. I 
say discussion and not debate because I don't think there is a 
significant debatable issue on the value of prayer. I don't know of any 
Members of this House who opposes God or prayer. But what we

[[Page 14631]]

should discuss is whether we are seeing a continuing trend of inching 
closer and closer to mixing politics and religion, government and 
religion, which we have traditionally separated. It is now before us in 
a way which we should approach with a serious and nonpartisan manner.
  I cannot think of any issue that is more fundamental to our system of 
government than our Constitution's enduring guarantee of the freedom of 
religion. One of the inspirations the founders of our country had was 
the insight that all Americans should be free to believe or not to 
believe in one faith or even any faith. Americans can believe in the 
religion we choose, and worship as we believe proper.
  Now I do not question the desire for religious response to help this 
Nation cope and recuperate from the tragedies that befell the 
communities of Jonesboro and Springfield and Littleton. I do not 
challenge the importance of religious guidance as a source of healing. 
I do not oppose the call for a period of reflection to reinvigorate our 
sense of compassion and humility. But I do question whether it is the 
role of Congress to initiate, mandate, or manipulate personal religious 
expression.
  This country has a people that is far more religious than most other 
countries, and I believe a great part of that is the separation of 
church and state that we value so deeply. Americans are more religious 
because they do not have the cynicism of other countries, where there 
is a government-sponsored religion and religion and government and 
politicization are seen all as one.
  There is no official state religion in our country, and therefore 
people take their personal religious decisions much more seriously. 
They recognize that our founders argued for the separation of church 
and state and wanted to make sure that religion was not politicized. 
Our founders warned of the corruption of church and state from a mutual 
infection when the two are joined together. A mild infection might be 
when clerics reach out for government funds and then obey government 
regulations. A much more virile corruption is when we see theocracies 
around the world wage actions that are clearly inhumane in the name of 
their religion and of God.
  Thomas Jefferson opposed any kind of involvement in religion. He said 
he did not think that he had any authority to direct the religious 
experience of his constituents, and I think he made a very powerful 
case where he argued that we ought to allow this to be one that is very 
personal.
  Now the proposal before us is an interesting one because it calls for 
a day of atonement, a day of fasting, a day of prayer. As a Jewish 
American, we have a day of atonement in our religion that is precisely, 
it seems to me, the kind of thing that the author of this resolution 
might have envisioned, a 24-hour period. We neither eat nor drink; we 
devote the day to prayer and penitence. But a very fundamental part of 
that day is a recognition that in repentance it is repentance, prayer 
and tzadaka. Tzadaka is sometimes looked at as charity, but it really 
means actions of good deeds.
  The reading of the day is one on ritual, but another reading of the 
day, which is even more significant, is one from Isaiah where in that 
reading God says to those who simply fast, afflict themselves, wear 
sackcloth and ashes, God said:

       Is this what I want? Is this what I have called for? Does 
     this satisfy me?

  And his response in Isaiah is:

       When you do acts of good deeds, it is not sufficient to 
     inflict yourself with repentance unless you share your bread 
     with the hungry, that you bring the poor that are cast out to 
     your house, when you see the naked that you cover him and 
     that you not hide yours from your own flesh.

  Acts of righteousness are not mentioned in this resolution. It is 
only repentance and prayer, but a day of atonement should do more than 
that.

                              {time}  1715

  Our obligations, as Members of Congress, are not to tell religious 
leaders how to practice their religion or tell people who are 
religiously oriented what they must do to meet the needs of their 
Maker. We can act in ways that deal with the problems of this world, 
and that is what we should be doing.
  I will not oppose this resolution on a voice vote, but I think we 
ought to think carefully about the separation of church and State which 
may be infringing upon.
  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Waxman) for his very wise words. They are very instructive, and I 
appreciate hearing from him and learning from him.
  This resolution is no different than the resolution that was brought 
to the floor by the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) on 
April 14, 1970, when the Apollo 13 was unable for a few hours to return 
to earth, and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) at that 
time put forth House Resolution 912, in which that resolution states 
and asked that the Nation join in asking the help of Almighty God to 
assure the safe return of those astronauts.
  The resolution goes on to say, in these days of monumental 
achievements in science and technology, it is well to be reminded that 
it has been the spirit instilled in man by his Creator that makes clear 
that his divine providence is really the sole source of man's 
sustenance; tremendously impressive resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. 
Hostettler).
  Mr. HOSTETTLER. Mr. Speaker, for four centuries, in different forms 
and on different days, during prosperous times and times of crisis, 
Americans have set aside days to give thanks to God or seek his will.
  The Pilgrims did so in Plymouth in the early 17th century. The 
Continental Congress issued proclamations of public thanksgiving in 
1777 and 1780.
  On June 28, 1787, at the Constitutional Convention, 81-year-old 
Benjamin Franklin called for daily prayers as the delegates convened. 
Quote, the longer I live, said Franklin, the more convincing proofs I 
see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a 
sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable 
that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, sir, in 
the sacred writings, that, quote, except the Lord build the House, they 
labor in vain that build it, unquote. I firmly believe this; and I also 
believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this 
political building no better than the builders of Babel; we shall be 
divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be 
confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and byword down to 
future ages, end quote.
  George Washington called for days of prayer and thanksgiving while 
general of the Continental Army and while president of the United 
States. John Hancock and Thomas Jefferson issued proclamations of 
prayer and thanksgiving while serving as State governors.
  In 1863, in the middle of a destructive Civil War and shortly after 
the death of his second son, President Abraham Lincoln recognized the 
merciful hand of God in his life and in the life of his Nation.
  On October 3, Lincoln issued a formal proclamation passed by an act 
of Congress, initiating the First Annual National Day of Thanksgiving. 
While acknowledging the hardships caused by the Civil War, Lincoln 
chose to focus on the blessings bestowed by God.
  Quote, the year that is drawing towards a close, Lincoln wrote of the 
bloodiest year in American history, has been filled with the blessings 
of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so 
constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which 
they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a 
nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart 
which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of 
Almighty God.
  After listing those bounties, Lincoln's proclamation continued: No 
human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these

[[Page 14632]]

great things. They are the gracious gifts of the most High God, who, 
while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless 
remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should 
be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart 
and one voice by the whole American people, end quote.
  The list goes on and on, but a single theme emerges. Throughout our 
Nation's history, Americans and their elected representatives have made 
it a priority to set aside days to acknowledge God's goodness, thank 
Him for His many blessings and seek His will.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in support of the resolution of the 
gentlewoman from Idaho (Mrs. Chenoweth).
  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. HOSTETTLER. I yield to the gentleman from California.
  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Hostettler), before he leaves, if he knows that we have a 
National Day of Prayer on the books?
  Mr. HOSTETTLER. Yes, I do.
  Mr. WAXMAN. Do you know when that is?
  Mr. HOSTETTLER. It was earlier this year.
  Mr. WAXMAN. Well, every year. It is in May.
  Mr. HOSTETTLER. Yes.
  Mr. WAXMAN. So we do have that day set aside.
  Mr. HOSTETTLER. This is a concurring resolution to ask for a day for 
the whole country once again to set aside prayer and thanksgiving and 
fasting.
  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings).
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Waxman) for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Idaho (Mrs. 
Chenoweth) for presenting this resolution.
  Healing and reconciliation as called for in this resolution are 
without question needed in this Nation and in the international 
community. The murders in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Littleton, Colorado, 
were indeed senseless. The dragging and burning of individuals in 
Alabama and Texas were indeed brutal, and the religious and political 
persecution in Yugoslavia and Rwanda indeed call for civil unrest.
  All of these tragic and unimaginable occurrences stem from one sad 
human behavior: Lack of tolerance.
  We must first recognize that people of other races and with religious 
beliefs different from our own have value in our society. Then we, not 
as officials or political leaders, but as fathers and mothers, sisters 
and brothers and friends and neighbors, as human beings who love and 
care and feel, we must ask all people to come together in their 
everyday and sometimes routine lives to heal and console each other.
  Just a few days ago, we came to the well of this House to debate 
amending our Constitution to prohibit the desecration of our Nation's 
flag. It is interesting to note that when this body begins each 
legislative day and at events in our district and at all sporting 
events, we pledge allegiance to this beautiful flag and our great 
Nation with these simple and profound words: I pledge allegiance to the 
flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it 
stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for 
all.
  The very phrase, one Nation, means that we embrace, among other 
things, the religious beliefs of all people, including Jews, 
Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus. In other words, we pledge on 
a daily basis to be an inclusive and tolerant Nation.
  I myself am the son of two Protestant ministers and have a strong 
religious center, and while I will support the premise of this 
resolution I have reservations about its exclusive language. In 
advocating against desecration of the flag, we should also advocate 
against the desecration of the principles for which it stands, 
including inclusivity.
  In fact, I agree with Vice President Gore who has called for bridging 
the gap between those on the right who would impose their religious 
values on others and threaten the notion of separation of church and 
State, and those on the left who believe that religious values should 
play no role in addressing public needs.
  The language of this resolution, which specifies particular religious 
practices and beliefs, does not bridge the gap. A more appropriate step 
was proposed last week at the Family Reunion Conference in Nashville, 
Tennessee, by Vice President Gore as he announced a new Community 
Building Initiative that would provide technical assistance and 
training to faith-based and non-profit organizations.
  Faith and values-based organizations reach out to all in need. They 
feed the hungry, clothe the poor, take care of those that are ill. In 
short, their vision and mission is to uplift their neighbors and make 
their lives better.
  While resolutions are well-intentioned, the men and women in these 
organizations do what is called for in this resolution every day. They 
are healing and practicing tolerance. They set an example for all of 
us, and we should take our cue from them.
  As a champion of nonviolence and tolerance, Dr. Martin Luther King, 
Jr., stated: Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which 
rejects revenge and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is 
love.
  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht).
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from 
Idaho (Mrs. Chenoweth) for bringing this resolution forward. If for no 
other reason, it gives us a chance to talk about history and the 
relationship between this great government and God and prayer and all 
that goes together.
  When I was sitting here listening to some of the debate earlier, I 
was looking up at these words right on top of the Speaker's rostrum. It 
says, In Got We Trust.
  The words that the gentlewoman from Idaho (Mrs. Chenoweth) started 
off this conversation tonight about this resolution are so important.
  Mr. Speaker, we need to remind ourselves of how this great country 
was founded. Many of us forget that the first official act of the 
Continental Congress was to appoint a chaplain, and then they prayed, 
and not a perfunctory prayer. They prayed for one and one half hours.
  Let me read what Thomas Jefferson said in 1781: Can the liberties of 
a nation be thought secure when we remove their only firm basis, a 
conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift 
of God?
  Let me read what George Washington said in his farewell address: Of 
all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, 
religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that 
man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these 
great pillars.
  Benjamin Franklin said, at the Constitutional Convention in June of 
1787, and I quote: I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth 
prayers imploring the assistance of heaven and the blessings of our 
deliberations be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed 
to business, a tradition which continues in this House to this very 
day.
  And Abraham Lincoln in his Emancipation Proclamation closed with 
these words: ``And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of 
justice, warranted by the Constitution upon military necessity, I 
invoke the considerate judgment of mankind and the gracious favor of 
Almighty God.''
  Mr. Speaker, I would remind the Members of what the Continental 
Congress said in 1779. They said, and this is from an absolute 
resolution that was passed by the Congress, and I quote, that it be 
recommended to the several States to appoint the first Thursday in May 
next to be a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer to Almighty God; 
that He will be pleased to avert the impending calamities which we have 
but too well deserved; that He will grant to us grace to repent of our 
sins and amend our lives according to his Holy Word; and that He will 
continue that

[[Page 14633]]

wonderful protection which hath led us through the paths of danger and 
distress.
  That was signed on March 20 in the Year of our Lord, 1779, by John 
Jay, President.
  Finally, let me just remind Members that the very same day that the 
Congress passed the First Amendment to the Constitution, September 25, 
1789, they approved a resolution requesting that President George 
Washington proclaim a day of prayer and thanksgiving in the land.
  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Edwards).
  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, speaking as a citizen I am grateful that I 
live in a country that protects my right to pray. Speaking as a 
Christian, I believe deeply in the importance and power of prayer.
  The idea of having a national voluntary day of prayer is one I can 
support. But speaking as a Congressman, I am deeply bothered by the 
clauses of this resolution which would put the U.S. Congress on record 
as telling individuals that it is a, quote, necessary duty, end quote, 
to pray.
  Prayer should not be a government-imposed duty, Mr. Speaker. It is a 
God-given right. To even suggest prayer should be a government-
dictated, necessary duty demeans the very sanctity of prayer.
  Prayer is not a duty to be directed by this or any Congress. Prayer 
is an act of free will where one chooses, in the privacy of his or her 
own heart and soul, to communicate directly with our Creator.
  What right under our Constitution does this Congress have the right 
to tell any citizen that it is his duty to pray? The answer is, we have 
no right to do so. In fact, those who have quoted our Founding Fathers 
seem to forget the first 16 words of the Bill of Rights, which say 
Congress shall pass no law respecting an establishment of religion or 
prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
  I thank God that our Founding Fathers had the wisdom to write the 
Bill of Rights so that any attempt by Congress to mandate the religious 
affairs of American citizens would be null and void.
  I thank God that Madison and Jefferson were wise enough to realize 
that the best way to ruin religion is to politicize it.

                              {time}  1730

  As a Christian, I revere and rely on God in my day-to-day existence. 
But what right under our Constitution does this Congress today, in a 
suspension calendar vote with no committee hearings, have to dictate 
this resolution, where ``It is incumbent upon all public bodies, as 
well as private persons, to revere and rely on God almighty for our 
day-to-day existence''?
  The answer is Congress has no right to do so. For Congress to declare 
that reverence of and reliance on God is ``incumbent on all public 
bodies and private persons'' is not only unconstitutional, it is 
morally wrong, in my opinion. A God that is powerful enough to create 
the universe and everything in it surely, surely has the power to make 
us believe or do whatever he so chooses.
  But God gave man an incredible gift, the gift of free will. He gave 
each of us the choice to believe in him or not, to worship him or not, 
to pray to him or not. What right under heaven does this Congress have 
to infringe upon that divine gift of free will?
  Any effort by this Congress to inject the notion of ``necessary 
duty'' upon how, when, or whether an American citizen must pray is not 
only blatantly unconstitutional, it offends my deepest conviction that 
the sacredness of one's prayers and belief in God is that they are 
based on free will, not an imposed duty from government.
  Mr. Speaker, I personally believe that faith and prayer can make ours 
a better Nation. However, in reflecting upon the debates in this House 
of recent days, I would suggest that we Members of Congress should 
consider spending more time praying and less time trying to tell others 
how they should pray. I would suggest we should spend more time trying 
to live up to the Ten Commandments in our personal lives than in using 
our public positions to tell others which religious commandments they 
should or should not follow.
  Perhaps it is time for us in Congress to preach a little less and 
practice a little more. Maybe we should spend more time worrying about 
the log in our own eye and less about the speck in others'. God does 
not need Congress' help, but may God help us if we ever use religion as 
a means to our own political ends.
  Mr. Speaker, God gave us religious freedom. In America, the Bill of 
Rights has protected that precious freedom for over 200 years. Let us 
not tamper with that freedom under any circumstance, and certainly not 
after only a 40-minute consent calendar debate and no committee 
hearings. Such an approach to the profound principles of prayer, faith, 
and freedom do a disservice to those high principles and to us.
  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I have to agree with the gentleman from Texas, almost 
everything he said, except his understanding that this is a sense of 
the Congress, it is not a bill, that would confer any authority or 
mandate anything from the Federal government. It is simply a call.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Crane).
  Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time to 
me.
  I would like to harken back to what the gentleman said about that 
first amendment, Congress shall pass no law respecting the 
establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. 
That had to do with an established church. We are not allowed to create 
an established church in this country under our Constitution, but we 
simultaneously cannot obstruct the invasion of government by religion, 
as witnessed right up here on the wall, ``In God we trust;'' as 
witnessed by the opening up of each session of Congress with a 
taxpayer-paid clergyman's invocation in both the House and Senate from 
the beginning of this Republic. It is because our Founding Fathers 
recognized the importance of that.
  I went to public schools in Chicago before World War II, and we 
opened up every day with prayer, and the teacher assigned it to every 
child, you could be Jew, you could be Muslim, you could be Catholic, 
you could be Protestant or you could be an atheist. We did not have 
those in those days. If you were an atheist, you would be excused and 
the next person in line would deliver the one minute prayer.
  I would urge my colleagues to support this resolution before us 
today.
  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio 
(Mr. Strickland).
  Mr. STRICKLAND. Mr. Speaker, I would hope the previous speaker would 
not be suggesting that teachers should assign prayers to our 
schoolchildren in public schools.
  Talk is cheap, and often in this Chamber rhetoric is empty. Last week 
this body voted to allow the posting of the Ten Commandments from the 
Hebrew Scriptures in our public schools. I think there are additional 
teachings from the New Testament that are also important and just as 
relevant to our daily lives.
  As an example, I would like to share a passage from the book of St. 
James, Chapter 2, verses 14 through 17. It reads ``What good is it, my 
brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? 
Can faith save you? If a brother or a sister is naked and lacks daily 
food, and one of you says to them, `Go in peace, and keep warm, and eat 
your fill,' and yet you do not supply their bodily need, what is the 
good of that?'' So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
  The resolution before us focuses on faith, but it is lacking in its 
call for good works. I agree with President John Kennedy, who said in 
his inaugural address, ``In this world, God's work must truly be our 
own.''
  I would feel more positive about this resolution if, along with its 
call to prayer and fasting, we also committed ourselves to effective 
legislative action, action to provide health care for

[[Page 14634]]

all of America's children, action to guarantee access to affordable 
prescription drugs for our senior citizens, and meaningful action to 
stamp out discrimination and intolerance in our society.
  But we do not call for those things in this resolution. For that 
reason, if there is a recorded vote, I will vote present on this 
measure, because I agree with St. James when he said that faith by 
itself, if it has no works, is dead.
  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Mrs. Myrick).
  Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, outwardly as a Nation we are very 
prosperous and healthy, we are the envy of the world, but inwardly we 
are falling apart. We have witnessed so much violence today, especially 
among our young people. We keep asking, why? There is road rage and 
there is sky rage, and it has become a way of life. There is anger 
everywhere. Why?
  We need to continue to search for answers to these and other 
questions, but I do believe that a great deal of the reason we are 
having these problems is because America has turned her back on God. 
Gone is the gentleness that we used to experience, respect and love for 
one another, the basic Golden Rule. Do unto other as you would like 
them to do unto you, just simple kindnesses, it is missing today.
  We are going through great pain in our Nation, and prayer heals pain. 
I believe it is fitting for Congress to set an example and urge our 
people to turn to prayer. At home people around me come up all the time 
and say, this is the same message, but we need to get back to God.
  Every day Congress opens with prayer. ``In God we trust'' is over the 
Speaker's chair. This resolution does not establish religion, mandate 
prayer, or violate the separation of church and State, it simply 
affirms something we should not take for granted.
  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Nadler).
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, it is certainly commendable to reflect on 
one's shortcomings, to seek forgiveness for wrongdoing, or to try to 
build a world for our children which is free from violence or hate. 
Indeed, across America these sentiments are often to be found in the 
prayers of our neighbors.
  What is wrong with this resolution? For one thing, the Congress has 
arrogated to itself the role of religious director of the Nation. That 
is wrong. Congress has no business leading the Nation in prayer, or 
giving its official endorsement to religion in general, or to 
particular religious beliefs or practices.
  The people who founded this Nation understood that religion, if it is 
to remain truly free, must remain an individual right, and that the 
hand of big government must be kept away.
  No matter how this resolution is dressed up it is an official 
endorsement of religion and of particular religious beliefs and 
activities, and constitutes an establishment of religion. For those who 
think it is harmless and merely a statement in support of prayer 
generally and does not reflect a particular sectarian view, I point out 
two clauses.
  The resolution states that the Congress recognizes the unique 
opportunity of the new millenium for religion. What millenium does the 
resolution refer to? In the Jewish calendar, it is the year 5758. The 
common calendar that we use counts time since the birth of Jesus to 
which the resolution accords great religious significance.
  Of course, the significance of the birth of Jesus is a fundamental 
Christian belief, but I do not think Congress should endorse or deny 
that belief. Many Americans, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, are not 
Christians. Despite the efforts of a very few, most Americans believe 
this is a Nation for all its citizens, not just for Christians. It is 
our duty to defend the right of all our people to believe or not 
believe, to pray or not to pray as they see fit. That is what our 
Constitution stands for, what our Bill of Rights is meant to protect, 
and what generations of Americans have fought and died to preserve, and 
what this resolution would compromise.
  The resolution states it is a necessary duty of the people of this 
Nation to offer up our prayer and deeds to almighty God. I personally 
believe that to be the duty of all people, but who are we to instruct 
our fellow citizens in their religious obligations?
  The resolution states it is the necessary duty of the people of this 
Nation in a solemn and public manner to confess our shortcomings. Most 
religions believe confession is a private matter. Where does Congress 
get the right and authority to declare them wrong?
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this proposed resolution even 
though I find many sentiments contained within it which are 
commendable.
  It is certainly commendable to pray, to reflect on one's 
shortcomings, to seek forgiveness for wrongdoing or to try to build a 
world for our children which is free from violence and hate. And it is 
obviously commendable to work to achieve a world of love free from the 
violence, cultural and ethnic division, strife, and murder which this 
resolution rightly observes have ``stained our communities and the 
world.''
  Indeed, across America, these sentiments are often to be found in the 
prayers of our neighbors.
  So what's wrong with this resolution?
  Well, for one thing, the Congress is arrogating to itself the role of 
religious director of the nation. That's wrong. Congress has no 
business leading the nation in prayer or giving its official 
endorsement to religion in general or to particular religious beliefs 
or practices. The people who founded this nation understood that 
religion, if it is to remain truly free, must remain an individual 
right, and that the hand of big government must be kept away. No matter 
how this resolution is dressed up, it is an official endorsement of 
religion and of particular religious activities and beliefs and 
constitutes an establishment of religion.
  For those who think it is harmless and merely a statement in support 
of prayer generally, and does not reflect any particular sectarian 
view, I would point out two clauses. The Resolution states that 
Congress ``recognizes the unique opportunity that the dawn of a 
millennium presents to people in a Nation under G-d to humble and 
reconcile themselves with G-d and with one another.
  What millennium does the Resolution refer to? On the Jewish calendar, 
it is the year 5758. Our common calendar counts time since the birth of 
Jesus, to which the Resolution accords great religious significance. 
Now, of course, the significance of the birth of Jesus is a fundamental 
Christian belief, but I don't think Congress should endorse--or deny--
that belief. Many Americans--Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus--are not 
Christians, and despite the efforts of a very few, most Americans 
believe that this is a nation for all its citizens, not just for 
Christians. It is our duty to defend the right of all people to believe 
or not to believe, to pray or not to pray, as they see fit. That's what 
our Constitution stands for, what our Bill of Rights is meant to 
protect, what generations of Americans have fought and died to 
preserve, and what this resolution would compromise. This resolution 
states ``it is the necessary duty of the people of this Nation . . . to 
offer up our prayers and needs to Almighty G-d.'' I personally believe 
that to be the duty of all people, but who are we to instruct our 
fellow citizens in their religious obligations? The resolution further 
states ``it is the necessary duty of the people of this Nation . . . in 
a solemn and public manner, to confess our shortcomings.'' Most 
religions believe that confession is a private matter between an 
individual and his or her G-d. Where does Congress get the right to 
declare them wrong?
  The sponsor of this legislation has, in fact, been very sensitive to 
issues concerning the establishment of religion when she perceived a 
threat of governmental institutions being hijacked by religious beliefs 
she does not share. For example, in the Congressional Record of January 
31, 1996, she devoted the better part of an hour arguing that funding 
for environmental protection programs, including the EPA, violated the 
establishment clause, because some environmentalists came to their 
views via their religious beliefs. A copy of that speech follows my 
prepared statement. If the EPA violates the Establishment Clause, what 
can we say about this particular legislation?
  Finally, I would just observe that this resolution is just another 
attempt by the majority to evade the real problems plaguing our nation, 
like hate crimes, poverty and gun violence.
  For example, although it makes reference to the lynchings and hate 
crimes against People of Color and a Gay man in Wyoming, it never 
identifies these crimes for what they were, not does it urge 
legislation to make these hate crimes illegal in our nation. Matthew 
Sheppard

[[Page 14635]]

was murdered for one reason and one reason only--because he was a Gay 
man, but the resolution doesn't say that and the sponsor won't support 
legislation. The bill also makes reference to the gruesome hate crime 
which resulted in the death of James Byrd who was dragged to death 
behind a pickup truck, but his name is nowhere to be found in this 
resolution, nor is the fact that he was murdered solely because he was 
African American.
  This isn't the first time that Congress has obliquely dealt with 
these reprehensible crimes. Just enough of a statement so that they can 
say they did it, but not so specific so as to offend the racist 
constituencies out there. And, as always, no real solutions offered. No 
hate crimes laws, no increased enforcement, no laws to keep guns out of 
the hands of criminals, no additional help to communities.
  This resolution is the latest in a series of assaults by the House on 
our First Freedom. May G-d grant us the wisdom to spend our time doing 
our jobs, and leave religion to the ministers, priests, and Rabbis of 
this nation--and to the people who will exercise their freedom of 
religion far more wisely than we could instruct them to do.
  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 second to the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Hayes).
  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, last night I was going through my dad's 
things. He died in November. I found in his drawer this Bible. On the 
front it says ``May this comfort and protect you.''
  Inside it says, ``Commander in Chief, I take pleasure in commending 
the reading of the Bible to all who served in the Armed Forces of the 
United States. Throughout the centuries men of many faiths and diverse 
origins have found in the sacred book words of wisdom, counsel, and 
inspiration. It is the foundation of strength, and now as always an aid 
in attaining the highest aspirations of the human soul.'' Franklin 
Roosevelt.
  The next page, ``Our prayers are constantly with you, thanking God 
daily for your joy and faith in him. Heartfelt love, Mother.''
  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 1 minute to 
the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kasich).
  Mr. KASICH. Mr. Speaker, I just do not know how many know this, but 
the State of Massachusetts actually had a State-supported church well 
into the 1800s. It was only when the other churches objected that State 
funding was cut off.
  It is also interesting to note that the Congress of the United States 
actually at one point engaged in the printing of Bibles, not to mention 
above our own Chamber ``In God we trust.''
  What is interesting is there has been a distortion of what we mean by 
the separation of church and State. The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Crane) had it right. The Federal government was not supposed to have a 
State-supported taxpayer-funded church. We support that. We agree with 
that.
  But Orestes Brownson wrote an interesting book where he wrote about 
the uniqueness of the United States, where we could combine both the 
proper space of the State and the proper space of the church; that the 
space of the church was not to intrude on the space of the State, and 
the space of the State was not to intrude on the space of the church.
  What we have had happening in America is government imposing its own 
values and invading the proper space of people of all faiths. If 
America is to be healthy, we had better harken to the days of our 
Founders, who said that self-governing is about the ability to get it 
right without other human beings having to write rules and laws.
  The foundation of this is simple common sense. This resolution urges 
a prayer. It is consistent with our Founders, our Constitution, and it 
is unbelievable that we are even having this debate today.
  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pease). The gentlewoman from Idaho (Mrs. 
Chenoweth) is recognized for 30 seconds.
  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, if there ever is a time that we need 
almighty God, it really is now. If there ever is a time we need to 
pray, it is now. If there is ever a time that we need to humble 
ourselves as individuals, it is now. If there is ever a time that we 
need to plead for forgiveness, it is now. If there ever is a time that 
we need peace, it is now. If there ever is a time that we need healing, 
it is now.

                              {time}  1745

  I pray that we as a Congress and as a Nation can join together in 
prayer, supporting this resolution, calling for prayer, fasting and 
repentance.
  Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, in this century, the United States has led 
the world in transforming industry, communication, and technology. We 
have found cures for once-fatal diseases and introduced freedom and 
democracy to the world. We sit on the threshold of a new century, and 
new millennium with a great mandate: laying the groundwork for a 
daring, new world.
  On the brink of the nineteenth century, our Founding Fathers faced a 
similar mandate. One whose impact would reach beyond anything they 
could have imagined, and one which we live each day. They gathered 
together to establish a form of government that no other nation had 
ever attempted with freedoms that no other nation had ever even dreamed 
of: freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion.
  The work of these men was truly inspired. The wisdom in the words of 
the Constitution serves as the very cornerstone of hope and liberty. 
But these men did not rashly pull the Constitution together without 
forethought. The delegates of the Continental Congress debated over the 
course of months to author a document which changed the course of 
history for all people. It was during this debate, that they came to a 
standstill. On June 28, 1787, 212 years ago this week, the delegates 
hit a stalemate over many issues.
  Ben Franklin saw that the impasse could not be reconciled by any 
human means: ``The small progress we have made after four or five 
weeks' close attendance and continual reasonings with each other--our 
different sentiments on almost every question . . . producing as many 
noes as ayes--is, methinks, a melancholy proof of the imperfection of 
the human understanding . . . I therefore beg leave to move that 
henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of heaven and its blessings 
on our deliberations . . .''
  Franklin recognized that the future of the Constitution, and the 
nation, depended upon Divine intervention. In the faces of the 
Congressional Delegates he saw pride, determination and no hope of 
compromise. Franklin knew that the only way the Constitution could be 
agreed upon was to call the delegates to humility and prayer. He 
recognized the need of each individual to search their hearts and seek 
the will of God.
  Franklin called on the Members of the Congress to take three days of 
prayer and fasting. At the end of these three days, the delegates 
humbly returned, and were able to complete the framework of the 
Constitution which is the basis of the law of our nation.
  As Americans, we are all grateful that Ben Franklin recognized the 
need for God and prayer within the political agenda. Each of the 
delegates had a strong understanding of right and wrong. They knew the 
laws of the land needing to reflect a moral standard, a moral law. It 
is time we call our nation back to this morality.
  Two weeks ago I offered an amendment called the Ten Commandments 
Defense Act, and you, my distinguished colleagues, helped to pass this 
legislation. It was a public declaration that God is not dead, despite 
the violence and confusion that haunts the current age.
  Now I, along with the gentlelady from Idaho and others speaking on 
behalf of this resolution, call our country to set aside a time of 
reflection, a time to search our hearts and seek God's guidance. We 
must approach our families, our jobs, and our communities with the same 
humility and desire for reconciliation as our Founding Fathers sought 
in establishing the law of this land.
  Today, we stand, not only on the brink of a new century, but at the 
dawning of a new millennium. We have the great honor, and the weighty 
responsibility, of setting the groundwork of the next thousand years. 
Let us do this with courage. Let us do this with honor. Most 
importantly, let us humbly set a precedent for the new millennium, and 
recognize God as the source of wisdom, goodness and strength.
  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I am concerned about the language of the 
resolution before us.
  The religious faiths and practices of all of us as Americans are as 
important as they are personal.
  This country was founded in part by people of strong religious 
beliefs who came to this new land seeking the freedom to worship 
totally beyond the reach of government. The

[[Page 14636]]

doctrine of completely separating church and state was written into our 
Bill of Rights to protect our fundamental right to worship whenever we 
want, however we want, or even if we want.
  I am very uncomfortable with this Congress--in a formal resolution--
voting to observe ``a day of solemn prayer, fasting, and humiliation 
before God''.
  The way for us to urge prayer and humility before God is by our 
example as individuals--not our political rhetoric as members of 
Congress.
  I believe the teachings of Jesus as written in Matthew 6 verses 4-6 
has application to the resolution before us:
  ``And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they 
love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, 
that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received 
their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door 
and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in 
secret will reward you.'' (Matthew 6:4-6)
  Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I will vote ``Present'' on this resolution. 
I believe it is very important for people of all faiths to pray, 
reflect and seek divine guidance. It is not, however, the business of 
government to direct or prescribe this fundamental activity.
  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pease). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentlewoman from Idaho (Mrs. Chenoweth) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, House 
Concurrent Resolution 94.
  The question was taken.
  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________