[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15460]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 540--ENCOURAGING ALL 50 STATES TO RECOGNIZE AND 
ACCOMMODATE THE RELEASE OF PUBLIC SCHOOL PUPILS FROM SCHOOL ATTENDANCE 
 TO ATTEND OFF-CAMPUS RELIGIOUS CLASSES AT THEIR CHURCHES, SYNAGOGUES, 
            HOUSES OF WORSHIP, AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS

  Mr. DeMINT submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary.

                              S. Res. 540

       Whereas the free exercise of religion is an inherent, 
     fundamental, and inalienable right secured by the 1st 
     amendment to the Constitution of the United States;
       Whereas the free exercise of religion is important to the 
     intellectual, moral, civic, and ethical development of 
     students in the United States;
       Whereas the free exercise of religion must be conducted in 
     a constitutionally appropriate manner;
       Whereas, in Zorach v. Clauson, 343 U.S. 306 (1952), the 
     United States Supreme Court held that a statute that provides 
     for the release of public school pupils from school 
     attendance to attend religious classes is constitutional if--
       (1) the programs take place away from school grounds;
       (2) school officials do not promote attendance at religious 
     classes; and
       (3) the solicitation of students to attend is not done at 
     the expense of public schools; and
       Whereas the Constitution of the United States and the laws 
     of the States allow the school districts of the States to 
     release public school pupils from school attendance to attend 
     religious classes: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) calls on all 50 States to recognize and accommodate 
     those churches, faith-based organizations, and individuals 
     that wish to release public school pupils from school 
     attendance to attend religious classes; and
       (2) respectfully requests the President of the United 
     States to proclaim the third week of November 2006 as ``Bible 
     Education in School Time Week''.

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