Prohibits such period from being conducted as a religious service or exercise. Requires such period to be considered as an opportunity for a moment of silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day.
Declares that this Act shall not be construed as prohibiting or restricting constitutionally protected prayer.
Requires LEAs, as a condition of receiving ESEA funds, to certify in writing to their State that they are in compliance with this Act.
[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1202 Introduced in House (IH)]
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1202
To provide for a period of quiet reflection at the opening of certain
schools on every school day.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 11, 2003
Mr. Scott of Georgia (for himself, Mr. McIntyre, Mr. Tanner, Mr.
Shimkus, Mr. Stenholm, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Frost, Mr. Lucas of Kentucky,
Mr. Isakson, Mr. Meek of Florida, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Renzi, Ms. Bordallo,
and Mr. Bishop of Georgia) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for a period of quiet reflection at the opening of certain
schools on every school day.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Moment of Quiet Reflection in
Schools Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) In today's hectic society, all too few of the Nation's
citizens are able to experience even a moment of quiet
reflection before plunging headlong into the day's activities.
(2) The Nation's young citizens are particularly affected
by this absence of an opportunity for a moment of quiet
reflection.
(3) The Nation's youth, and society as a whole, would be
well served if students were afforded a moment of quiet
reflection at the beginning of each day in the public schools.
SEC. 3. MOMENT OF QUIET REFLECTION.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301
et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 9536 the following:
``SEC. 9537. MOMENT OF QUIET REFLECTION.
``(a) In General.--Each local educational agency receiving funds
under this Act shall ensure that, at the opening of school on every
school day, the teacher in charge of each classroom in each school
served by the agency conducts a brief period of quiet reflection for
not more than 60 seconds with the participation of all the students
assembled in the classroom.
``(b) Conduct.--A period of quiet reflection under this section
shall not be conducted as a religious service or exercise, but shall be
considered as an opportunity for a moment of silent reflection on the
anticipated activities of the day.
``(c) Construction.--This section shall not be construed as
prohibiting or restricting constitutionally protected prayer.
``(d) Certification.--As a condition of receiving funds under this
Act, a local educational agency shall certify in writing to the State
involved that the agency is in compliance with this section.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E434)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform.
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