JACK R. ANDERSON Lincoln 4-3010
Editor
SUBJECT: Pr er Amendment New GOP Polic February 28, 1964
One of the issues before the Congress moy never reach a vote, unless an unusual log~
jam and a one-man blockade Is broken. The measure Is a propesed Constitutional Amendment
which weuld permit voluntary listening to non-denominationel prayers or scriptural readings
in America's school classrooms.
The current bill fs known as the Becker Prayer Amendment, and Is the collation of
115 bills which verteus individual Members Introduced. The Becker Amendment was chosen
as the one they could agree on,
The bottieneck is Judiclary Committee Chairman Emanuel Celler of New Yurx, who
has turned a deaf ear to holding hearings on the Amendment. Becker has filed a discrarge
petition which to date has 149 names of the 218 needed.
On Feb, 18, the Republican Policy Committee adopted the following resolution:
"Resolved: That the House Republican Policy Committee ge on record In
support of a Censtitutional amendment declaring the right of individuals to
participate or to refrain from participation In prayer and Bible reading in |
public institutions throughout the United States and the right of the Gevernmen:: .°
of the United States to make reference to God Almighty In public governmenta!
offairs.
"Be It Further Reselved: That the Republican Pelicy Committee request the
Chairman of the House Judiclary Committee to Immediately schedule hearings
upon the varlous proposals for a Constitutional Amendment and to report
favorably such a proposal at the earliest possible time.“
H.J. Res. 9 is worded to emphasize the voluntary espects of Its purpose. It states flatly
In Section 3; "Nothing tn this article shall constitute on establishment ef religion." Sheuld
the necessory signatures be obtained and the bill reach the House fleer, Indications are that
It would pass due to great public Interest. Sen. James Eastland (D. of Mass.) has publicly
stated he would shepherd such a resolution through the Senate.
As. Rep. Becker summed up the Issue: “The Constitution clearly demands that there be
a seperation of church and state, but It was never Intended to separate God end state."
With God-fearing mottos on our colnage and Federal buildings, It seems reasonable te
let the people of the Nation express their views on this fssue by giving Congress ond the peopie
the opportunity to adopt or reject an amendment to our Constitution.
Members who have introduced Prayer Resolutions
. Abernethy, Thomas G. (Miss. ) 1524 NHOB, H.J. Res- 687
Adair, R- ROSS (Ind.) 1511 NHOB H.J. Res. 556, 694
Andersen, John B.- (I11.) 1418 NHOB, H.j. Res. 496, 744
Andrews, George W. (Ala.) 1724 NHOB, H.J. Res. 497
Ashbrook, John M. (Ohio) 424 OHOB, H.J. Res. 530
Auchincloss, James C. (N.J.) 245 OHOB, H.J. Res. 772
Baker, Irene B.- (Tenn.) 1417 NHOB, H.J. Res. 509, 726
. Baring, Walter 5S. (Nev.) 1005 NHOB, H.J. Res. 504, 717
Bates, William H. (Mass.) 458 OHOB, H.J. Res. 912
. Battin, James F. (Mont.) 310 OHOB, H.J. Res. 792
Becker, Frank J. (N.Y.) 1727 NHOB, H.J. Res. 9, 693
. Brock, W.-E. (Tenn.) 1441 NHOB, H.J. Res- 550
Broomfield, William S. (Mich.) 1422 NHOB, H.-J. Res- 867
Broyhill, James T.- (N.C.) 1020 NHOB, H.J. Res. 924
Broyhill, Joel T. (va.) 1121 NHOB, H.J. Res. 480, 695
Cederberg, Elford A. (Mich.) 1206 NHOB, H.-J. Res- 784
Chamberlain, Charles E. (Mich. ) 1506 NHOB, H.-J. Res. 802
Chelf, Frank (Ky) 449 QOHOB, H.-J. Res. 862, 869
Chenoweth, J. Edgar (Colo.) 201 OHOB, W.J. Res. 512, 696
Clark, Frank M. (Pa.) 254 OHOB, H.J. Res. 790
_ Clawson, Del. (Cal.) 437 OHOB, H.-J. Res- 797
Colmer, William M. (Miss.) 1705 NHOB, H.J- Res- 959
Cramer, William C. (Fla.) 1131 NHOB, H.J. Res. 80, 697
Curtin, Willard S. (Pa.) 349 OHOB, H.J. Res. 485, 698
Dague, Paul B. (Pa.) 119 OHOB, H.J. Res. 481, 736
. Davis, John W.W. (Ga.) 339 OHOB, H.J. Res. 488
Derounian, Steven B. (N.Y.) 1627 NHOB, H.J. Res. 343
Derwinski, Edward J. (I11.) 1409 NHOB, H.J. Res. 917
. Devine, Samuel L. (Ohio) 1113 NHOB, H.J. Res. 521
. Dorn, W.J. Bryan (Ss.C.) 221 OHOB, H.J. Res. 857
Dowdy, John (Tex.) 105 OHOB, H.J. Res. 863
Fallon, George H- (Md.) 1337 NHOB, H.J. Res. 116
Feighan, Michael A. (Ohio) 1708 NHOB, H.J. Res. 930
. Findley, Paul (I11.) 1032 NHOB, H.J. Res. 509
. Fino, Paul A. (N.Y.) 435 OHOB, H.J. Res. 217
Flynt, John J.,Jr- (Ga.) 203 OHOB, H.J. Res. 500
_ Fountain, L.H. (N.C.) 403 OHOB, H.-J. Res- 918
Fulton, James G. (Pa.) 246 OHOB, H.J. Res. 219
Fuqua, Don (Fla.) 1223 NHOB, H.J. Res. 179, 699
Gallagher, Cornelius E. (N.J.) H.-J. Res- 771
Glenn, Milton W. (N.J.) 1432 NHOB, H.J. Res. 557, 752
Goodell, Charles E. (N.Y.) 1017 NHOB, H.J. Res. 781
. Goodling, George A. (Pa.) 135 OHOB, H.J. Res. 739
Hagan, G. Elliot (Ga.) 419 OHOB, H.J. Res. 482
Harrison, William Henry (Wyo) 1521 NHOB, H.J. Res. 511, 700
(2)
Harvey, Ralph (Ind.) 1431 NHOB, H.J. Res. 560
Hemphill, Robert W. (S.C.) 1319 NHOB, H.J. Res. 505,506,701
. Henderson, David N. (N.C.) 324 OHOB, H.J. Res. 722
Herlong, A.S.,Jr. (Fla.) 1104 NHOB, H.J. Res. 558
Hoeven, Charles B. (Iowa) 1124 NHOB, H.J. Res. 501,701
Hosmer, Craig, (Calif.) 530 OHOB, H.J. Res. 531
Huddleston, George, Jr. (Ala.) 243 OHOB, H.J. Res. 91
. Hutchinson, Edward (Mich.) 1420 NHOB, H.J. Res. 897
Joelson, Charles S. (N.J.) 433 OHOB, H.J. Res. 767
Johnson, Albert W. (Pa.) 1415 NHOB, H.J. Res. 864
. Jonas, Charles R. (N.C.) 1010 NHOB, H.J. Res. 593,703
King, Carleton J. (N.Y.) 1116 NHOB, H.J. Res. 316,718
Kornegay, Horace R. (N.C.) 441 OHOB, H.J. Res. 528, 704
Lankford, Richard E. (Md.) 1227 NHOB, H.J. Res. 816
Latta, Delbert L. (Ohio) 1529 NHOB, H.J. Res. 483,705
. Leggett, Robert L. (Calif.) 1038 NHOB, H.J. Res. 507
Lennon, Alton (N.C.) 337 OHOB, H.J. Res. 489,106
Lipscomb, Glenard P. (Calif.) 1410 NHOB, H.J. Res. 523
Matthews, D.R. (Fla.) 1320 NHOB, H.J. Res. 98, 707
- Milliken, William H. (Pa.) 1515 NHOB, H.J. Res. 708
- Monagan, John S. (Conn.) 1528 NHOB, H.J. Res. 336,740
Moore, Arch A., Jr. (W.Va.) 1527,NHOB, H.J. Res. 514,758
Morse, F. Bradford (Mass.) 1541 NHOB, H. J. Res 810
Murphy, John M. (N.Y.)1716 NHOB, H. J. Res. 534
Norblad, Walter (Oreg.) 1126 NHOB, H. J. Res. 918
. Pirnie, Alexander (N.Y.) 413 OHOB, H. J. Res 936
Poff, Richard H. (Va.) 451 OHOB, H. J. Res. 741
Quillen, James. ll. (Tenn.) 1318 NHOB, H. J. Res 517, 709
- Rains, Albert (Ala.) 1203, NUOB, H. J. Res. 190
- Reid, Charlotte T. (I11.) 1315 NHOB, H. J. Res. 755
Rhodes, George M. (Pa.) 1640 NHOB, H. J. Res 770
- Rivers, L. Mendel (S.C.) 412 OHOB, H. J. Res. 342, 719
Roberts, Kenneth A. (Ala) 1503 NHOB, H. J. Res 552
Roberts, Ray (Texas) 323 OHOB, H. J. Res. 911
Robison, Howard W. (N.Y.) 415 OHOB, H. J. Res 913
Rodino, Peter W. Jr. (N.J.) 1607NHOB, H. J. Res. 764
Rogers, Paul G. (Fla.) 111 OHOB, H. J. Res. 631
- Rooney, Fred (Pa.) 221 OHOB, H. J. Res 803
Roudebush, Richard L. (Ind.) 1018 NOB, H. J. Res 487
Schadeberg, Henry C. (Wis.) 442 OHOB, H. J. Res 710
Schweiker, Richard S. (Pa.) 1221 NHOB, H. J. Res. 746
Scott, Ralph J. (N.C.) 242 OHOB, H. J. Res 518
Shipley, George E. (I1l.) 302 OHOB, H. J. Res 849
- Short, Don L. (N.Dak.) 110 OHOB, H. J. Res. 515, 711
- Sikes, Robert L. F. (Fla) 1112 NHOB, H. J. Res 150, 712
Slack, John M. Jr. (W. Va.) 126 OHOB, H. J. Res 751
Snyder, M. G. (Ken), 1323 NHOB, H. J. Res. S61
Stafford, Robert T. (Vt.) 138 OHOB, H. J. Res 931
94.
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.
100.
101.
102.
103.
104.
105.
106.
107.
108.
109.
110.
111. Wyman, Louis C. (N.H.) 235 OHOB, H. J. Res 603
(3)
Staggers, Harley 0. (W. Va.) 401 OHOB, H. J. Res 617
Stinson, K. W. (Wash.) 427 OHOB, H. J. Res 955.
Talcott, Burt L. (Calif.) 120 OHOB, H. J. Res 942
Taylor, Roy A. (N.C.) 252 OHOB, H. J. Res 485, 720
Tollefson, Thor C. (Wash.) 1132 NHOB, H. J. Res.
627
Tupper, Stanley R. (Maine) 206 OHB, H. J. Res 824
Utt, James B. (Calif.) 103 OHOB, H. J. Res 819
Waggoner, Joe D. Jr. (La.) 1237 NHOB , H. J. Res 552, 713
Watson, Albert W. ( S.C.) 1007 NHOB,
Whalley , J. Irving (Pa.) 1230 NHOB,
Wharton, J. Ernest (N.Y.) 1009 NHOB,
Whitener, Basil L. (N.C.) 1122 NHOB,
Whitten, James L. (MISS.) 1214 NHOB,
Widnall, William B. (N.J.) 460 OHOB,
H.
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Res
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850
619, 737
526
714
159, 721
342, 715
Williams, John Bell (Miss.) 1103 NOH, H. ‘J. Res 70, 716
Wilson, Robert (Calif) 114 OHOB, H. J. Res 796
Winstead, Arthur (Miss) 1514 NHOB, H. J. Res 197
NOTICE OF ACTION TAKEN -- MEETING OF TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1964.
THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN POLICY COMMITTEE ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING
RES OLUTION:
RESOLVED: That the House Republican Policy Committee go
on record in support of a Constitutional amendment declaring
the right of individuals to participate or to refrain from
participation in prayer and Bible reading in public
institutions throughout the United States and the right of
the government of the United States to make reference to God
Almighty in public governmental affairs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Republican Policy
Committee request the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee
to immediately schedule hearings upon the various pending
proposals for a Constitutional amendment and to report favorably
such a proposal at the earliest possible time.
“”
FRANK J. BECKER
5TH DISTRICT, NEW YORK
COMMITTEE:
— Congress of the GQnited States
House of Representatives
ROOM 1727
HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, D.C.
TELEPHONE: CAPITOL 4-3121
EXT. 4921, 4922, 4923
DISTRICT OFFICE:
54 FOREST AVENUE
LYNBROOK, LONG ISLAND
NEW YORK
Washington, DB. C.
Re: Discharge Petition No. 3 -
(To amend the Constitution to
permit Prayer and Bible reading
*
in public schools, etc.)
Dear Friend:
I am receiving thousands of letters from all over the United
States, asking questions about this subject. I will answer by
giving the facts:
i
At the present time a total of |6/ House Members
have signed the Discharge Petition which, to
become effective, must have 218 signatures. Mine
is the first signature on the Petition.
I introduced H. J. Res. 9 on January 9, 1963.
Many others have introduced similar resolutions
(131), but the House Judiciary Committee has
continually stalled-off holding hearings or
taking any action.
Twenty-one months have elapsed. The only sure way
to bring this vital matter to the House Floor is
for 218 Members to sign the Discharge Petition.
Then, and only then, will the prayer resolution
come up for a vote (after four hours of debate).
Many House Members never before have signed a
Discharge Petition. Neither had I, in 20 years as
a legislator. But, I am firmly convinced that, in
this case, it is a necessary step to preserve the
spiritual life of our Nation.
The Discharge Petition remains effective only through
the Second Session of the 88th Congress. It is
important to act NOW!
S.
Fubtu
The wording of the proposed Constitutional amendment
was worked out by a Committee of six (6) Congressmen
who had been named at a meeting of about fifty (50)
interested Members. The Committee of six (6) had
the help of Constitutional lawyers and others. The
result was a Constitutional amendment not only
permitting prayer and Bible reading in public schools,
but safeguarding against litigation to remove "Under
God" from the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,
"In God We Trust" on coins and currencies, Chaplains
from the Armed Services, and other public
manifestations of our reliance upon Almighty God.
When you write to your Congressman and ask him to
sign, he may reply that he has introduced a similar
resolution. It should then be pointed out to him
that only his signing the Discharge Petition will
help bring the subject to the House Floor for a vote.
Urge your friends and neighbors, in an organized
effort, to write to their own Congressmen, urging
them to sign Discharge Petition No. 3 -- NOW!
Sincerely yours,
, A
Frank J. Becker, M. C.
a
PROM THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN FRANK J. BECKER (R-N.Y.)
FACTS ABOUT DISCHARGE PETITION NO. 3
PRAYER IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND ALL PUBLIC PLACES
WASHINGTON: Despite the fact that 131 resolutions proposing a Constitutional Amendment
to permit prayer and Bible reading in public schools and all public places are pending
in the House of Representatives, the Congress will be denied the right to vote on the
issue unless 218 House Members sign Discharge Petition No. 3. |
Congressman Becker is the author of H. J. Res. 9, introduced January 9, 1963, which
will be brought to the Floor for debate and vote only if a majority of the 435 House
Members sign the Discharge Petition he filed July 9, 1963.
A discharge petition is a parliamentary instrument to bring to the House Floor any
resolution or bill held without action by a committee. It requires the signatures of
218 of the 435 House Members.
Congressman Becker issued a national appeal for supporters to write to their own
individual Congressmen urging them to sign. At this point, more signatures are needed.
The Petition remains effective through the Second Session of the 88th Congress.
H. J. Res. 9 and its identical predecessor resolutions of the 87th Congress have been
pending in the House Judiciary Committee without hearings or action for over 20 months.
H. J. Res. 693 is the substitute resolution introduced by Congressman Becker on
September 10, 1963 -- after further consideration and in agreement with about 50 other
interested Members of the House of Representatives -- to provide a Constitutional
Amendment to include Bible reading as well as prayer in public schools and places, and
to safeguard other public manifestations of our reliance on Almighty God -- which is
broader in scope than H. J. Res. 9. The text of Congressman Becker's proposed
Constitutional Amendment -- set forth in H. J. Res. 693 -- is as follows:
"SECTION 1. Nothing in this Constitution shall be deemed to prohibit the offering,
reading from, or listening to prayers or biblical scriptures, if participation therein,
is on a voluntary basis, in any governmental or public school, institution, or place.
"SECTION 2. Nothing in this Constitution shall be deemed to prohibit making reference
to belief in, reliance upon, or invoking the aid of God or a Supreme Being in any
governmental or public document, proceeding, activity, ceremony, school, institution,
or place, or upon any coinage, currency, or obligation of the United States.
"SECTION 3. Nothing in this article shall constitute an establishment of religion.
"SECTION 4. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as
an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several
States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress."
Here are examples of pending attacks which would be thwarted by such an Amendment:
A California suit to remove "Under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag;
and, from New Jersey, has come an attack on the legality of Chaplains in the Armed
Services. Other similar attacks have been threatened on various public manifestations
of this Nation's reliance upon Almighty God.
Said Congressman Becker: "I cannot sit idly by and permit advocates of a Godless
society to accomplish in the United States what the Communists have accomplished in
Soviet Russia. I have provided the legislative instrument -- in Discharge Petition
No. 3. But, the real job must be done by the people themselves. They must let
their Congressmen know how they feel if we are to succeed."
REKKKARARKEE Rk EE
FACT SHEET ON THE PROPOSED "PRAYER AMENDMENT'' TO THE CONSTITUTION
House Joint Resolution 693 (88th Congress)
THE AMENDMENT'S AUTHORS:
H. J. Res. 693 was authored by a Committee of six Congressmen (3 Democrats and
3 Republicans) with the aid of Constitutional Lawyers and Legislative Counsel.
This Committee was appointed by more than Sixty Members of the House who had
introduced similar Resolutions, and wished to arrive at one text acceptable to
all. Congressman Frank J. Becker, the Committee's Chairman, introduced
H. J. Res. 693 on September 10, 1963.
THE AMENDMENT'S PURPOSE:
To restore the inherent American Right to the "...free exercise..." of Religion,
as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution. Decisions of the
Supreme Court in 1962 and 1963 declared unconstitutional the practice of Prayer
and Bible reading in our Public Schools, and the Amendment seeks to restore this
Right. The Amendment would also prevent future attacks on the Spiritual Heritage
of our Nation, as evidenced in current suits to remove "...under God...'' from the
Pledge of Allegiance and deny tax exemption to Churches. Chaplains in the Armed
Forces, and the Motto, "In God We Trust" on our coins and currency are also being
threatened as "unconstitutional." H. J. Res. 693 does not seek to change the
First Amendment, but only to clarify its meaning, and thereby defeat attacks such
as those outlined above.
THE AMENDMENT'S TEXT:
"SECTION 1. Nothing in this Constitution shall be deemed to prohibit the offering,
reading from, or listening to prayers or biblical scriptures, if participation
therein is on a voluntary basis, in any governmental or public school,
institution, or place.
"SECTION 2. Nothing in this Constitution shall be deemed to prohibit making
reference to belief in, reliance upon, or invoking the aid of God or a Supreme
Being in any governmental or public document, proceeding, activity, ceremony,
school, institution, or place, or upon any coinage, currency, OF obligation of
the United States.
"CECTION 3. Nothing in this article shall constitute an establishment of religion.
"SECTION 4G. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified
as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the
several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States
by the Congress."
THE AMENDMENT'S PROGRESS:
(See enclosure).
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Write to your Congressman, telling him of your support for the "Prayer Amendment."
Feel free to use any of the arguments cited in the enclosure and urge him to sign
Discharge Petition #3, reminding him that this Petition is the only means to
insure for the Congress a chance to vote on the Amendment before adjournment. He
may reply that he has introduced an Amendment himself. Write again, and remind
him that Discharge Petition #3 only affects H. J. Res. 693, and that he may offer
his own amendments to that bill if it comes to the Floor of the House. At the
present time Congressmen have signed the Petition -- of the 218 required to
free the Resolution from Committee. Mine is the first signature on the Petition.
KEEP THIS IN MIND:
Congressman Becker has said, "I cannot sit idly by and permit the advocates of a
Godless society to accomplish in the United States what the Communists have
accomplished in Soviet Russia. I have provided the legislative instrument ..,
but the real job must be done by the People themselves. They must let their
Congressmen know how they feel if we are to succeed."
Pedeede de eee PRICK IRENE ERERRE ERRERER
“inses”” H, J. RES. 693
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SEPTEMBER 10, 1963
Mr. Becker introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred
to the Committee on the Judiciary
JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United
States.
fiesolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-
thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following
article is hereby proposed as an amendment to the Con-
stitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all
intents and purposes as part of the Constitution only if
ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several
States within seven years from the date of its submission
co mansmeoin#ee _y»_ wo WO -
to the States by the Congress:
vVI—O
2
1 “ARTICLE —
2 “SECTION 1. Nothing in this Constitution shall be
3 deemed to prohibit the offering, reading from, or listening
4 to prayers or biblical scriptures, if participation therein is on
2 a voluntary basis, in any governmental or public school,
6 institution, or place.
7 “Sec. 2. Nothing in this Constitution shall be deemed
8 to prohibit making reference to belief in, reliance upon,
9 or invoking the aid of God or a Supreme Being in any
10 governmental or public document, proceeding, activity, cere-
11 mony, school, institution, or place, or upon any coinage,
12 currency, or obligation of the United States.
13 “Src. 3. Nothing in this article shall constitute an
sa a cron Ea es I IRE A ica
14 establishment of religion.
pee “So, 4, This article shall be inoperative unless it shall
16 have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by
17 the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within
18 seven years from the date of its submission to the States
19 by the Congress.”
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