This resolution designates September 27-October 3, 2020, as Religious Education Week.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 750 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 750
Designating the week of September 27, 2020, through October 3, 2020, as
``Religious Education Week'' to celebrate religious education in the
United States.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
October 21 (legislative day, October 19), 2020
Mr. Graham (for himself, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Hawley, Mr. Cassidy, Mrs.
Loeffler, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Scott of South Carolina,
Mr. Braun, and Mr. Daines) submitted the following resolution; which
was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Designating the week of September 27, 2020, through October 3, 2020, as
``Religious Education Week'' to celebrate religious education in the
United States.
Whereas the free exercise of religion is an inherent, fundamental, and
inalienable right protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution
of the United States;
Whereas the United States has long recognized that the free exercise of religion
is important to the intellectual, ethical, moral, and civic development
of individuals in the United States, as evidenced by founders of the
United States, such as--
(1) Benjamin Franklin, who believed religion to be ``uniquely capable
of educating a citizenry for democracy''; and
(2) George Washington, who said in his farewell address, ``Of all the
dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and
morality are indispensable supports.'';
Whereas religious education is useful for self-development, because it asks
students to consider and respond to questions concerning the meaning and
purpose of life, engages students in questions about morality and
justice, and enables students to identify their values;
Whereas studies like the one published by the International Journal of Mental
Health Systems in 2019 have shown that religious education can be
``instrumental to improving adolescent mental health'' by helping
children learn how to make decisions based on morals, promoting less
risky choices, and encouraging connectedness within a community, which
can enhance self-esteem and well-being;
Whereas religious education fosters respect for other religious groups and
individuals generally by acknowledging a source for human dignity and
worth;
Whereas the United States Supreme Court found in Pierce v. Society of Sisters,
268 U.S. 510 (1925) that the State does not have power ``to standardize
its children by forcing them to accept instruction from public teachers
only. The child is not the mere creature of the state; those who nurture
him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty,
to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.'';
Whereas religious instruction can come from a variety of sources, including
sectarian schools and released time programs;
Whereas, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2015,
4,350,000 children in the United States attended sectarian elementary
and secondary schools where those children received religious education;
and
Whereas the United States Supreme Court held in Zorach v. Clauson, 343 U.S. 306
(1952) that State statutes providing for the release of public school
students from school to attend religious classes are constitutional,
and, as a result, an estimated 540,000 public school students in the
United States take advantage of released time programs each year: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) affirms the importance of religious education in the
civic and moral development of the people of the United States;
(2) celebrates the schools and organizations that are
engaged in religious instruction of the children of the United
States to aid those children in intellectual, ethical, moral,
and civic development;
(3) calls on each of the 50 States, each territory, and the
District of Columbia to accommodate individuals who wish to be
released from public school attendance to attend religious
classes; and
(4) designates the week of September 27, 2020, through
October 3, 2020, as ``Religious Education Week''.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S6380)
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