NEWS RELEASE

Hank Brown
U.S. Senator for Colorado

For Immediate Release            Contact: Christopher M. Changery
June 7, 1994                              Jennifer Martin
                                          (202) 224-5941


      BROWN: EEOC RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION GUIDELINES "ABSURD"


     WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Hank Brown (R-Colo.) today
introduced a resolution urging the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC) to reconsider a proposed guideline that could
outlaw religious expression in the workplace.

     "These guidelines are a departure from the philosopher of
respect for individual freedom and right of expression that has
guided our nation for two hundred years," Brown said. "For the
first time that I am aware of, we have a government agency
actively trying to suppress acts of religious expression or the
celebration of religious beliefs. This is absurd. The guidelines
have been disseminated without the EEOC thinking through their
consequences."

     The proposed regulation applies the same standards to
religion that has been applied to gender and race discrimination.
Brown said this broad definition of harassment could result in
the banning of any religious speech or symbols in the workplace.

     Possible restricted activity could include:

- wearing a cross or yarmulke

- displaying a religious picture or book on a desk

- humming a religious song

- making a reference to any religious figure.

     Brown's resolution emphasizes that religious liberty is
protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and
that Congress enacted the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of
1993 to state that religious liberty should forever be protected
from government intrusion. It states that the EEOC "should
withdraw the proposed guidelines and hold public hearings before
issuing similar new regulations."

     "Harassment is wrong," Brown said. "A nude picture on the
wall is different than wearing a cross around your neck. My hope
is that the EEOC will withdraw these guidelines and respect
people's right of expression."

                               ###


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