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COMMITTEE REPORT
February 4, 2004
H. 4630
S. Printed 2/4/04--H.
Read the first time January 28, 2004.
To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 4630) to memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact and submit to the states for ratification an amendment to the United States Constitution to allow for the display of the Ten Commandments, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
ROBERT W. LEACH, SR. for Committee.
TO MEMORIALIZE THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO ENACT AND SUBMIT TO THE STATES FOR RATIFICATION AN AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION TO ALLOW FOR THE DISPLAY OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, GOVERNMENT OFFICES, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, AND OTHER PUBLIC PLACES.
Whereas, the United States of America was founded by men and women with varied but strong religious beliefs; and
Whereas, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution states, in part, that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...", and that means that the government is prohibited from establishing an official religion, and also that no barriers shall be erected against the practice of any religion; and
Whereas, the establishment clause of the First Amendment was not drafted to protect Americans from religion; rather, its purpose was clearly to protect Americans from governmental control over religion; and
Whereas, the federal courts have erected barriers to the exercise of freedom of religion in public places, including rulings against the presence of the Ten Commandments in public schools, government offices, public buildings, and other public places and otherwise have misconstrued the intent of the First Amendment; and
Whereas, the United States Constitution specifies a remedy, namely by amendments to the Constitution; and
Whereas, the members of the General Assembly of South Carolina strongly believe that reaffirming a right to voluntary and nonmandated expressions of religion in public places is an important element of the religious freedom of this country; and
Whereas, the members of the General Assembly of South Carolina also strongly believe that the members of the Congress of the United States should enact legislation that allows for the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools, government offices, public buildings, and other public places and to submit the same to the states for ratification. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly hereby memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact and submit to the states for ratification an amendment to the United States Constitution to allow for the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools, government offices, public buildings, and other public places.
Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and to each member of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.
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