LEGISLATIVE GENERAL COUNSEL Approved for Filing: MGT H.J.R. 6 01-09-95 7:58 PM RESOLUTION

LEGISLATIVE GENERAL COUNSEL Approved for Filing: MGT H.J.R. 6 01-09-95 7:58 PM RESOLUTION ON MOMENT OF SILENCE 1995 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Sponsor: Met Johnson A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATURE URGING CONGRESS TO CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION WHEREBY STATES MAY PROVIDE FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE OR MEDITATION AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH SCHOOL DAY FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS; AND SPECIFYING THAT THE MOMENT OF SILENCE OR MEDITATION BE OPTIONAL TO THE SCHOOLS, SCHOOL BOARDS, AND TO THE STUDENTS. Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah: WHEREAS it is well documented that the framers of the United States Constitution firmly held that they acted in faith and with a commitment to a superior being or deity, and that it was this faith combined with prayer which brought about our Constitution and Bill of Rights; WHEREAS schoolchildren across the country daily join in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance which emphasizes that we are "one nation, under God"; WHEREAS the nation's currency is emblazoned with "In God We Trust", yet another signification that, regardless of the differing religious views held by Americans, an acknowledgement of and faith in God are important to them; WHEREAS although the first amendment indicates we have freedom of religion in this country, the Supreme Court has issued decisions that undermine our free access to religion; WHEREAS as an example of the effects of these decisions, prayer in schools has been virtually abolished, leaving students ill equipped to understand an activity that the founders of the nation claimed helped to create these United States; WHEREAS an amendment to the Constitution providing for a moment of silence or meditation, optional to both primary and secondary schools and their students and free of coercion from educators would allow students the option of expressing their faith in an atmosphere free of force; and WHEREAS a moment of silence or meditation would allow students the option of extending their expression of faith to the classroom where they hope to frame their futures as those who gave us the Constitution helped frame ours: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah urge the United States Congress to consider an amendment to the United States' Constitution providing for a moment of silence or meditation at the beginning of each day in our nation's primary and secondary schools and specifying that the moment of silence or meditation be optional to the schools, the school boards, and the students. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and Utah's congressional delegation. *********************************************************************** * * * American Atheists website: http://www.atheists.org * * PO Box 140195 FTP: ftp://ftp.atheists.org * * Austin, TX 78714-0195 * * Voice: (512) 458-1244 Dial-THE-ATHEIST: * * FAX: (512) 467-9525 (512) 458-5731 * * * * Atheist Viewpoint TV: avtv@atheists.org * * Info on American Atheists: info@atheists.org, * * & American Atheist Press include your name and mailing address * * AANEWS -Free subscription: aanews-request@listserv.atheists.org * * and put "info aanews" in message body * * * * This text may be freely downloaded, reprinted, and/other * * otherwise redistributed, provided appropriate point of * * origin credit is given to American Atheists. * * * ***********************************************************************