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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Blackwell, Morton: Files
Folder Title: Prayer in Schools (11 of 11)
Box: 19
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WITHDRAWAL SHEET
Ronald Reagan Library
Collection Name BLACKWELL, MORTON: FILES
Withdrawer
KDB
9/5/2006
File Folder
PRAYER IN SCHOOLS (11)
FOIA
F05-0103/01
Box Number
9086
HABERMAN
5
DOC Doc Type
Document Description
No
of Doc Date Restrictions
NO
Pages
1
LIST
RE CANDLE-LIGHTING CEREMONY
1
9/24/1982
B6
(PAGE 2, PARTIAL)
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
B-1 National security classified Information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
B-2 Release would disclose Internal personnel rules and practices of an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
B-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
B-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
B-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted Invasion of personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
B-7 Release would disclose Information complied for law enforcement purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
B-8 Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of financial Institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
B-9 Release would disclose geological or geophysical information concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained In donor's deed of gift.
PENDING REVIEW IN ACCORDANCE WITH E.O. 13233
Ronald Reagan Library
Collection: Blackwell, Morton C.: Files
Archivist: kdb
OA/Box: 9086 9081
FOIA ID: F05-103/1, Haberman
File Folder: Prayer in Schools (11)
Date: 4/9/07
qtm 4/30/08
DOCUMENT
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
NO. & TYPE
to
A. memo
Blackwell and Stephen Galebach to Faith Whittlesey and Edwin Harper
5/16/83
Genl
re school prayer (w/notations), 5p
08/31/2019
3
Achoul
Prayer
Bellevue
BAPTIST CHURCH
70 NORTH BELLEVUE BOULEVARD
ADRIAN ROGERS
memphis, TENNESSEE 38104
PASTOR
July 13, 1982
Mr. Morton Blackwell
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20005
Dear Morton:
I am sending you the article by Stan Hastey that
I promised. Stan Hastey is the writer for the
Washington Bureau of the Baptist Press. I am not
sure of his address, but your secretary can find
it or he can be addressed at the headquarters of
the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs.
I don't believe that there is anything in this
article that really needs an answer except that
you should make it very clear to Mr. Hastey if
you wish that you did not ask Ed McAteer to seek
a resolution proposing the amendment if indeed
you did not. In my own personal opinion there
would have been nothing wrong had you done this
but some would like to make it appear that the
White House is somehow interfering in a particular
meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. They
are poor losers and are trying to stir up a little
tempest in the teapot. I really don't think much
will come of it anyhow.
Believe me when I tell you that the rank and file
of Southern Baptists are solidly behind the Prayer
Amendment proposed by the President.
May God bless you in all that you do.
Adrian Rogers
1g
Enc.
At New Orleans Convention
PRESERVATION COPY
White House Backed Prayer Amendment Bid
BY STAN HASTEY
or her Bible in public schools" and re-
vention debate. Charles Stanley of First
Washington Bureau, Baptist Press
corded "opposition to attempts, either by
Church, Atlanta, and Morris Chapman of
An aide to President Reagan has con-
law or by other means to circumvent the
First Church, Wichita Falls, "carried the
firmed that New Right leader Edward E.
Supreme Court's decision forbidding
day," McAteer said.
McAteer received White House encourage-
government-authored
or
sponsored
ment to work for Southern Baptist Conven-
religious exercises in public schools
"
ALTHOUGH McAteer did not speak
tion support of a constitutional amendment
In an interview immediately following
during the debate on the prayer resolution,
on school prayer.
the convention, McAteer told Baptist Press
he played a major role in shepherding it
Morton C. Blackwell, special assistant
a White House official, presumably
through the Resolutions Committee, fre-
to the president, told Baptist Press that he
Blackwell, called him two weeks before the
quently advising committee chairman Nor-
and McAteer confer regularly and con-
New Orleans meeting, asking him if the
ris W. Sydnor Jr., a Religious Roundtable
sulted before the New Orleans meeting.
Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs
leader in Maryland, and monitoring the
During that conversation, Blackwell said,
would seek a resolution opposing the
panel's proceedings throughout the nearly
McAteer predicted the SBC would endorse
amendment and, if it did, to help deliver a
25 hours of committee deliberations. The
the prayer amendment.
resolution of support.
vote within the committee to report out
Blackwell, whose primary duty is to line
favorably the prayer resolution was nine to
up support for Reagan policies as White
MCATEER is founder and president of
one. McAteer repeatedly offered sugges-
House liaison to Christian and other
Religious Roundtable, an organization
tions on the platform to Sydnor and other
religious groups and the conservative
formed three years ago to work for New
committee members.
political organizations, told Baptist Press:
Right causes and support the candidacy of
McAteer also said he did not regret the
"I thanked him very cordially."
Ronald Reagan for president. He is a
convention's refusal to go along with a
member of Bellevue Church in Memphis,
separate resolution proposed by the com-
SOME OBSERVERS feel Resolution 9,
Tenn.
mittee to censure Baptist Joint Committee
in which messengers to the 1982 meeting
McAteer declared of the resolution sup-
Executive Director James M. Dunn for
declared "Our support of the
proposed
porting the prayer amendment, "God in-
criticizing Reagan's proposal. The resolu-
constitutional amendment" is a reversal of
tervened here today."
tion was tabled.
previous SBC action. In 1980, messengers
He said the three-to-one vote approving
"I'd like to impact the man (Dunn) for
adopted a resolution which pointed out the
the proposed amendment was due primarily
good," McAteer said. "I'm not for
Supreme Court "had not held that it is il-
to the oratorical skills of a pair of promi-
overkill." He said he is eager to give Dunn
legal for any individual to pray or read his
nent pastors who urged passage during con-
a new chance, if he will "repent." (BP)
aptist Standard Dallas, TX
3
July 7,1982
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 20, 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR FAITH RYAN WHITTLESEY
file
EDWIN L. HARPER
FROM:
MORTON C. BLACKWELL
STEPHEN H. GALEBACH
SUBJECT:
School Prayer
As you requested, we have investigated the situation on
Capitol Hill and among our supporters on the issue of school
prayer, and have come up with a strategy for advancing the
President's program.
We believe the best course is exactly what the President has
already endorsed: the school prayer amendment plus an equal
access bill. We need to act, however, to keep these proposals on
track in the Senate Judiciary Committee and build up momentum for
a floor vote on each.
We are seeking to have Senator Hatch postpone the markup he
had scheduled for today, so that we have time to influence the
course of events (we are working with Bob Kabel in this regard);
but we will need to decide early next week what result we want to
emerge from Judiciary.
I. Background
Senator Thurmond is ready to move quickly on the school
prayer issue. For a successful outcome in the Judiciary
Committee, however, we need to exert some quiet but firm
leadership.
Early this month, the Judiciary Committee completed hearings
on school prayer, both on the President's amendment and on the
"equal access" approach that the President endorsed at the NAE
convention. The hearings on equal access got especially good
play in the press, with prominent quotes from high school
students who testified about discrimination in public schools
against religious students who try to meet at their own
initiative on the same terms as other students. Typical was
Bonnie Bailey of Lubbock, Texas, saying the courts view her as
mature enough to get an abortion or use contraceptives without
her parents knowing, but somehow she's not considered mature
enough to read the Bible or pray together with her fellow
students. In the wake of these hearings, we have a basis for
successful action on equal access.
-2-
At the same time, Christian groups are gearing up to boost
the President's school prayer amendment. We still need to
overcome a widespread sense that politicians are not really going
to push the amendment. But we can certainly do this with a
modicum of effort.
Several lobbyists for religious groups had been pushing
alternative ideas for amendments different from the President's
-- e.g., allowing only "non-sectarian" prayer, allowing only
prayers not drafted by state legislatures, allowing only prayers
in which the form and content is not influenced by government,
etc. -- but each of these groups, when we contacted them, said
they want to get behind the President's version if we push it.
Each of the proposed alternatives, by the way, creates more
problems than it solves; the drafting of our amendment appears to
be the best we can come up with.
The major problem we face at this point is a proposal for an
alternative amendment by Steve Markman, the Judiciary Committee
staffer who has had the lead thus far on this issue. He has been
pushing within the Committee, apparently with Senator Hatch's
backing, for an amendment that would provide only for a minute of
silence and for equal access for all student groups. If this
amendment is reported out of the Subcommittee on the Constitution
instead of the President's amendment, it would bring our school
prayer efforts to an embarrasing halt, since:
Few of our supporters on this issue want to go to the
great pains of enacting a constitutional amendment that
will only give them the right to be silent.
The Supreme Court has never said that a minute of silence
or equal access is unconstitutional in the first place.
We can gain a big victory on the equal access issue if it
is approached by statute, but placing the concept into an
amendment merely plays into the argument of the ACLU that
we need an amendment to make equal access constitutional.
We do not know of any group that supports Markman's amendment
over the President's, but the possibility cannot be dismissed
that many Senators would go for it as an "easy out" if we do not
inform them clearly that it is not an acceptable replacement for
the President's amendment.
-3-
II. Options
Option 1 -- Do nothing.
ADVANTAGES
Avoids possible criticism for anything positive we might
do.
DISADVANTAGES:
Without Presidential leadership, our constituency groups
will probably split over various possible courses of
action, leading to disenchantment, frustration, and lack
of support for us in 1984.
To stand back while the Constitution Subcommittee or the
full Judiciary Committee reports out an amendment
unacceptable to school prayer advocates, would not serve
the President's announced goals.
Option 2 -- Inform Senator Thurmond and Senator Hatch that we
want our version of the school prayer amendment, plus an equal
access bill, reported out of Judiciary Committee.
ADVANTAGES
Our version of the amendment promises the maximum
possible unity among pro-prayer groups.
If we push for an up-down vote on the President's
amendment, and we have a good effort from the groups that
support us, we should be able to win a majority in the
Judiciary Committee (we are working along with Bob Kabel
to get a definitive assessment).
Pushing the equal access bill out of committee
immediately after the amendment gives our supporters an
ideal opportunity to mount public pressure and cast the
issue in the most favorable possible terms; an equal
access bill would highlight the worst forms of
discrimination against religious expression by students,
call attention to the unpopular extremes to which the
ACLU has gone in these cases, and give people a chance to
accomplish something quickly which is of major importance
to all the religious ministries in which public school
students are involved (e.g., Fellowship of Christian
Athletes, Young Life, Maranatha, Campus Crusade, etc. --
not to mention groups such as St. Thomas Moore clubs and
Hillel clubs that are active in colleges and could be in
high schools if equal access became a reality).
-4-
We are already cooperating with religious media to call
attention to discriminations against religious speech; a
legislative battle over both amendment and equal
access bill would give a renewed opportunity to mobilize
elements of our coalition that have declined in activism
since 1980.
Major religious broadcasters who support school prayer
have told us they will support this course of action and
rally their people behind it.
DISADVANTAGES
We should not get caught in the middle over differences
concerning details of an equal access bill -- Hatfield
and Denton have introduced differing versions -- but we
can avoid this problem by simply asking Judiciary to
report out an equal access bill, without mandating which
one.
While a positive Administration effort for the
President's amendment and an equal access bill will
mobilize our supporters, it will also bring louder
criticism from our detractors -- polls indicate, however,
that there is far more potential gain than loss in this
issue.
Option 3 -- Push for school prayer amendment only, or equal
access bill only.
ADVANTAGES
Equal access bill appears more passable -- BUT our
supporter groups would be very disappointed if we backed
off from an amendment, and the President has clearly
stated his intention not to do so.
Some New Right theoreticians have at times favored the
amendment only approach, fearing that equal access gives
moderates too easy a safe base to jump to -- BUT our
supporter groups now feel, by and large, that equal
access is a tremendous opportunity to build moral
indignation and activism among those who favor freedom of
religious expression, and that a buildup of publicity on
the equal access issue will help efforts for the prayer
amendment.
DISADVANTAGES
We lose flexibility by picking one or the other measure
at this point -- we can always push both measures for
now, and make tactical judgments further down the road on
which measure to bring up for a floor vote, and when.
-5-
III. Conclusion
Option 2 appears far the best. To accomplish it
successfully, we need to:
Ask Senator Hatch to postpone the markup scheduled for
this Friday.
Send a letter from the President to Senator Thurmond and
another to Senator Hatch, requesting that the Judiciary
Committee mark up and promptly approve the President's
prayer amendment, as presently worded, and an equal
access bill. (Draft letter is attached.)
Continue working with Senate staffers on the Judiciary
Committee to ensure a favorable vote on each measure (Bob
Kabel has been working with Steve Galebach on this).
Continue coordinating with pro-prayer groups in their
communications efforts on this issue (Gary Bauer is
already helping on this -- his letter to local newspapers
concerning the Bristol prayer case was a big hit).
Send letters to key members in House:
-- Carl Perkins, asking him to hold hearings on equal
access approach. (The equal access bill introduced
by Lott, Kemp, Hyde, and Dannemeyer was referred to
Education and Labor.)
-- Don Edwards, asking him to hold hearings on our
constitutional amendment.
-- Republican sponsors of House equal access bill,
listed above, commending them for their efforts and
urging quick floor action.
-- Bob Michel, asking his support and assistance.
May 18, 1983
Dear Strom:
I want to express my appreciation for the fine hearings you have
held on the school prayer issue, both on the constitutional
amendment I transmitted to Congress and on the equal access
statutory approach. You have successfully framed this issue for
the American people by calling attention to disturbing instances
of discrimination against religious forms of student expression
in our public schools.
I would like to request that you take advantage of the excellent
record built by your hearings and report out of committee both
approaches: our constitutional amendment to restore the ability
of schools and other public institutions to allow individual and
group prayer, and a bill to guarantee equal access and
non-discrimination for religious student groups in federally
assisted public schools.
As you know, various changes have been suggested for our
amendment, such as limiting prayers to those that are "non-
sectarian" and placing constitutional restrictions on the ability
of governmental authorities to influence the form or content of
prayers. While these ideas reflect legitimate concerns that will
have to be addressed by states and localities after enactment of
our amendment, I hope we can avoid getting federal courts into
the business of deciding what is a "non-sectarian" prayer.
Further, I would not like to see any additional constitutional
limitations on state, local, and federal governmental authorities
that might call into question the legitimacy of the chaplains in
our armed services, the chaplain of the Senate and House, or the
invocations that are often provided at the behest of governmental
authorities such as the Supreme Court at the opening of its
sessions. Federal prohibition of school authority influence on
the "form or content" of religious expression at public schools
would endanger the desirable and currently widespread practice of
inviting clergy to give invocations and benedictions at
graduations, school assemblies, and other school-related events.
As for an equal access bill, I value your judgment and the
assessments of your committee members on the best way to frame a
bill along the general lines of those proposed by Senators Denton
and Hatfield. I believe a statute can go far to ensure that
federally assisted public schools not discriminate against
religious student groups while routinely permitting all sorts of
other groups to meet. Last week's federal court decision in
favor of a religious student group that had been denied the right
to meet in a Pennsylvania high school confirms that nothing in
the Constitution prevents an even-handed policy of equal access
for religious and non-religious groups.
-2-
We should, in any event, not do anything to support the argument
heard from some quarters that only a constitutional amendment can
legitimize equal access, or that only silent prayer is
appropriate in public schools.
I hope that both our school prayer amendment and an equal access
bill can be voted quickly out of committee, and that a floor vote
in the Senate can be held as soon as possible after Labor Day,
giving ample time for public discussion and expression of
citizens' views to their representatives, before a national
decision is made on this most important matter.
Thank you for your commitment and assistance in helping to
restore voluntary religious expression to our public schools.
Sincerely yours,
The Honorable Strom Thurmond
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
STROM THURMOND
SOUTH CAROLINA
United States Senate
WASHINGTON,
for D.C. Proper 20510 file
IT IS A PLEASURE TO SEND
THE ENCLOSED MATERIAL
IN RESPONSE TO YOUR
RECENT REQUEST
Strom thurmond
II
98TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
S.J.RES.73
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to
voluntary school prayer.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
MARCH 24 (legislative day, MARCH 21), 1983
Mr. THURMOND (for himself, Mr. HATCH, Mr. CHILES, Mr. ABDNOR, Mr.
NICKLES, and Mr. HELMS) (by request) introduced the following joint resolu-
tion; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United
States relating to voluntary school prayer.
1
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3 That the following article is hereby proposed as an amend-
4 ment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be
5 valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution if
6 ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several
7 States within seven years from the date of its submission to
8 the States by the Congress:
2
1
"ARTICLE -
2
"Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to pro-
3 hibit individual or group prayer in public schools or other
4 public institutions. No person shall be required by the United
5 States or by any State to participate in prayer.".
II
98TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
S.J.RES.73
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to
voluntary school prayer.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
MARCH 24 (legislative day, MARCH 21), 1983
Mr. THURMOND (for himself, Mr. HATCH, Mr. CHILES, Mr. ABDNOR, Mr.
NICKLES, and Mr. HELMS) (by request) introduced the following joint resolu-
tion; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United
States relating to voluntary school prayer.
1
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3 That the following article is hereby proposed as an amend-
4 ment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be
5 valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution if
6 ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several
7 States within seven years from the date of its submission to
8 the States by the Congress:
2
1
"ARTICLE -
2
"Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to pro-
3 hibit individual or group prayer in public schools or other
4 public institutions. No person shall be required by the United
5 States or by any State to participate in prayer.".
O
PRAYER AMENDMENT
file, school Prayer.
Section 1. Nothing in this Constitution shall be Construed to
prohibit individual or group silent prayer or meditation in pub-
lic schools. Neither the United States nor any State shall re-
quire any person to participate in such prayer or meditation,
nor shall they encourage any particular form of prayer or medi-
tation.
Section 2. Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to
prohibit equal access to the use of public school facilities by
all voluntary student groups.
Vegitiments relationship
- speech in forbiddu
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 23, 1982
MEETING WITH SCHOOL PRAYER DAY RALLY GROUP
DATE:
September 25, 1982
LOCATION: State Dining Room
TIME:
12:30 p.m.
FROM:
Dee Jepsen
I. PURPOSE:
To light the candles of three small public school children
from which all those at the School Prayer Day Rally on the
mall will light their candles.
II. BACKGROUND:
Project Prayer, the umbrella coalition of groups supporting
voluntary school prayer, is having simultaneous rallies in each
state and in D.C. These rallies will include candle lighting at
dusk and the ringing of church bells. At the Mall the local group
has obtained the Alamo bell for their bell ringing. Keynote speaker
will be Rev. James Robison and Pat Boone will be master of ceremonies.
Most speakers will explicitly support the President's proposed
Constitutional Amendment for voluntary prayer in the schools.
III. PARTICIPANTS:
See guest list attached. Children whose candles will be lit are:
Master Christopher Clews, grandson of Rev. Carter Clews from Maryland
Master Senghor Shields (black and has a terminal form of cancer mother
works for Paul Weyrich)
Miss Cami Messing (daughter of Andy Messing, Conservative Caucus)
IV. PRESS PLAN
Full press coverage.
V. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS:
12:30 p.m. Guests will assemble in State Dining Room.
12:35 p.m.
President enters and makes brief remarks.
12:40 p.m.
President crosses platform to Military Aide who assists
him in lighting his candle.
12:41 p.m.
President comes down the steps and around the platform
to stand in front of the three children on the platform.
He will light the two boys' candles first and then Cami's.
12:43 p.m.
President shakes hands of front row dignitaries and poses
for photographs.
12:46 p.m.
President departs.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 24, 1982
MEETING WITH SCHOOL PRAYER DAY ORGANIZERS
DATE:
September 25, 1982
LOCATION:
State Dining Room
TIME:
12:30 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
FROM:
ELIZABETH H. DOLE
I.
PURPOSE:
Since an earlier schedule commitment precludes your attendance at
the School Prayer Day Rally on the Mall this evening, you agreed
to hold a brief ceremony at the White House to light the candles
of three young public school children. It is from these three
candles that all those attending the evening's School Prayer Day
Rally on the Mall will light their candles at 7:00 p.m. This
same candlelighting ceremony will be replicated in the 50 States.
II. BACKGROUND:
Project Prayer, the umbrella coalition of groups supporting
voluntary school prayer, is sponsoring simultaneous rallies in
each state and the District. The theme of the nationwide rallies
is "Let Freedom Ring." These rallies will include candle light-
ing at dusk as well as the ringing of church bells. For the Mall
ceremony, the local group has obtained the original Alamo bell
for their use. The local keynote speaker will be Reverend James
Robison and Pat Boone will be Master of Ceremonies.
Virtually all speakers support your proposed Constitutional
Amendment for voluntary prayer in the schools. Your involvement
in this activity, coming immediately on the heels of the Helms
defeat, means a great deal to supporters of school prayer.
III. PARTICIPANTS:
The eight-year old children, who will be on the dais with candles
are: Master Christopher Clews of Maryland, Master Senghor Shields
of the District and Miss Cami Messing of Virginia, and event organizers
and their families. (See attached list of key invitees - not all have
accepted. Total attendance to be 60, 15 of whom will be children.)
IV. PRESS PLAN:
Full press coverage.
V.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS:
12:30 p.m.
You enter the State Dining Room and proceed to the
podium to offer brief remarks.
12:35 p.m.
Remarks conclude.
You will be given a taper, which you hold while it
it is lighted.
- 2 -
On the taper being lighted, you move to each of the
school children on the dais and light the candle they
will be holding.
12:37 p.m.
Upon lighting the third candle, the taper will be
taken from you and you greet the other children
and guests in attendance on departure.
12:45 p.m.
You depart State Dining Room.
Attachment
List of Participants
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 21, 1982
Mr. Sam Walker, Co-Chairman
tsally Read
School Prayer Day 1982
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sam:
I want to express heartfelt thanks for the excellent job you
did organizing School Prayer Day. You made a great effort
for the rally on the Mall, and your cooperation made the
President's candle lighting ceremony in the White House a
success.
The President really enjoyed the candle lighting ceremony.
Although I had a long standing commitment to be with my
parents in Louisiana that weekend, my wife and son did
attend the rally. The program was superb. I urge you to
ignore carping by those who have been pleased to criticize
the rally throughout.
In my judgment it was absolutely vital this year to have
highly visible, public endorsements of restoring voluntary
prayer in our schools. The polls all indicate massive public
support for voluntary prayer, but without efforts by you and
the many who worked with you, we might not sustain the
momentum of public opinion on this issue.
You can imagine my delight after School Prayer Day when I
saw highly constructive, national wire service stories about
your efforts in both the New Orleans and Baton Rouge news-
papers. We must not worry too much about the D. C. cover-
age. People all over the country got the right message.
Liberals are engaged in a steady drumbeat on this issue.
The President refers to this as part of a relentless drive
against God. Eventually we will prevail on this issue. The
war will be won.
Perhaps most significantly, we are strengthened by each
battle, and the opposition is weakened. I look forward to
carrying on the fight as your strong ally in future battles.
Cordially,
Morton
Morton C. Blackwell
Special Assistant to the President
for Public Liaison
WITHDRAWAL SHEET
Ronald Reagan Library
Collection Name
Withdrawer
BLACKWELL, MORTON: FILES
KDB 9/5/2006
File Folder
FOIA
PRAYER IN SCHOOLS (11)
F05-0103/01
HABERMAN
Box Number
9086
5
DOC Document Type
No of Doc Date Restric-
NO Document Description
pages
tions
1 LIST
1 9/24/1982 B6
RE CANDLE-LIGHTING CEREMONY (PAGE 2,
PARTIAL)
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
B-1 National security classified Information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
B-2 Release would disclose Internal personnel rules and practices of an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
B-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
B-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
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B-7 Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
B-8 Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
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C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of gift.
PARTICIPANTS
Miss Sally Reed of Virginia, Chairman
Rev. & Mrs. James Robison of Texas, National Prayer Committee
Mr. Pat Boone, Rally Master of Ceremonies
Mr. & Mrs. Roosevelt Grier, Rally Speaker
Mrs. Karen Davis, Christian Women's National Concern
Mr. Peter Gemma, National Pro-Life & Overall Rally Coordinator
Dr. Jerry Falwell
Rabbi David Ben-Ami
Mrs. Connie Marshner, Pro-Family Coalition
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Weyrich & others
Secretary & Mrs. James Watt
Congressional Members who invited the President to the Rally:
Senator Orrin Hatch
(Senate Subcommittee on
the Constitution)
Senator Jesse Helms
(S. 1742 Sponsor)
Senator Strom Thurmond
(S. 199 Sponsor)
Representative R. Beard
(H.R. 6957 Sponsor)
Representative Phil Crane
(H.R. 2347 Sponsor)
Representative T. Kindness
(H.R. 493 Sponsor)
Representative Robert Walker (Amendment 202 to H.R.
4169 Sponsor)
REPORT DATE: 24 SEP 1982
RSVP (alphabetic) LIST OF NAMES
FOR EVENT: CANDLE-LIGHTING CEREMONY
NAME
A/R
DOB
SSN
PHONE
CANDLE-LIGHTING CEREMONY
Saturday, September 25, 1982
12:30 pm/SW Gate/Telegram
Contact Social Office x7787
THE PRESIDENT
Alexander, Dan (Mr.)
A
Baker, James A. III (Hon.)
R
Ben-Ami, Rabbi David
A
BARBeR RoBeRT
Blackwell, Helen (Mrs.)
A
Blackwell, William (Master)
A
GUEST OF: Blackwell, Helen (Mrs.)
Boone, Pat (Mr.)
A
Bull, Christa (Miss)
MR+ MRS DAce (NORMA)
Bush, Vice President George
R
-
Caulk, Mark (Mr.)
A
Clark, William P. (Hon.)
Clews, Christopher (Master)
A
GUEST OF: Clews, Gordon (Rev.)
MR+MRS V INCENT CLews (NARDA)
Clews, Gordon (Mrs.)
A
GUEST OF: Clews, Gordon (Rev.)
Clews, Gordon (Rev.)
A
Corson, Stewart (Mr.)
A
REPORT: RSVP
PAGE: 1
REPORT DATE: 24 SEP 1982
cl0925al
RSVP (alphabetic) LIST OF NAMES
FOR EVENT: CANDLE-LIGHTING CEREMONY
NAME
A/R
DOB
SSN
PHONE
Davis, Karen (Mrs.)
A
CaLLeN?
Deaver, Michael K. (Hon.)
A
Dollinger, Lilli (Miss)
R
Falwell, Jerry (Dr.)
A
Fitzgerald, Peter (Master)
A
GUEST OF: Blackwell, Helen (Mrs.)
Gemma, Peter (Mr.)
A
Goodman, Howard (Mr.)
a 11/9/21
Goodman, Howard (Mrs.)
GUEST
OF: Goodman, Vestal Howard (Mr a 12/13/29
Grier, Roosevelt (Mr.)
A
REDACTED
b(6)
Harris, Bennie (Rev.)
A
Hear SPINK DAVID
Major, Suzanne (Miss)
A
Marshner, Connaught (Mrs.)
A
A
Marshner, Michael (Master)
A
GUEST OF: Marshner, Connaught (Mrs.)
Marshner, Pierce (Master)
A
GUEST OF: Marshner, Connaught (Mrs.)
McGuill, Father Martin
A
Meese, Edwin III (Hon.)
REPORT: RSVP
PAGE: 2
REPORT DATE: 24 SEP 1982
cl0925al
RSVP (alphabetic) LIST OF NAMES
FOR EVENT: CANDLE-LIGHTING CEREMONY
NAME
A/R
DOB
SSN
PHONE
Messing, Cami (Miss)
A
GUEST OF: Messing, Susanne (Mrs.)
Messing, Erick (Master)
A
GUEST OF: ANDREW Messing, Susanne (Mrs.)
Messing, Frederick (Mr.)
A
GUEST OF: Messing, Susanne (Mrs.)
Messing, Susanne (Mrs.)
A
Reed, Sally (Miss)
+
Robison, James (Mrs.)
A
GUEST OF: Robison, James (Rev.)
Robison, James (Rev.)
A
Shields, Edith (Mrs.)
A
Shields, Kendrick Roff (Master)
A
GUEST OF: Shields, Edith (Mrs.)
Shields, Natasha (Miss)
A
GUEST OF: Shields, Edith (Mrs.)
Shields, Senghor (Master)
A
GUEST OF: Shields, Edith (Mrs.)
Skousen, Cleon (Dr.)
N
Sparrow, Cleveland (Rev.)
A
Sundseth, Victor (Mr.)
A
THOMPSON Volens, Stan Dick (Mr.) JeAN Amy SeAN.
A
Walker, (Mr.) B OB
A
GUEST OF: Walker, Jane (Mrs.)
REPORT: RSVP
PAGE: 3
REPORT DATE: 24 SEP 1982
cl0925al
RSVP (alphabetic) LIST OF NAMES
FOR EVENT: CANDLE-LIGHTING CEREMONY
NAME
A/R
DOB
SSN
PHONE
Walker, Jane (Mrs.)
H
DUANEWARD DuANe WARD
Watt, James Gaius (Honorable)
A
Watt, James Gaius (Mrs.)
A
GUEST OF: Watt, James Gaius (Honorable)
Wessel, Emily (Miss)
A
GUEST OF: Clews, Gordon (Rev.)
Wessel, Joshua (Master)
A
GUEST OF: Clews, Gordon (Rev.)
Weyrich, Andrew (Mr.)
GUEST OF: Weyrich, Paul (Mr.)
A
Weyrich, Paul (Mr.)
A
Weyrich, Stephen (Master)
A
GUEST OF: Weyrich, Paul (Mr.)
White, Helen (Mrs.)
REPORT: RSVP.
PAGE: 4
REPORT DATE: 24 SEP 1982
cl0925al
RSVP (alphabetic) LIST OF NAMES
FOR EVENT: CANDLE-LIGHTING CEREMONY
NAME
A/R
DOB
SSN
PHONE
TOTAL
ACCEPTS
NORSVP
REGRETS
SUBS
INVITEES:
35 =
16
18
1
0
GUESTS:
20 =
13
7
0
0
TOTALS:
55 =
29
25
1
0
Possible attendance as of SEP 24 2:06 PM =
54
REPORT: RSVP
PAGE: 5
END OF PROGRAM
:
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
September 25, 1982
REMARKS OF THE PRESIDENT
AT THE SCHOOL PRAYER DAY CEREMONY
The State Dining Room
12:30 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. (Applause.) Please,
sit down. We want to welcome each of you to the White House. We
gather together to draw attention to an issue that is as vital
to the future of this country as any that we face. No one should
doubt that economic and technological progress will have a little --
or very little impact unless the spirit of our people remains
strong.
Calvin Coolidge, a President whom I greatly admire,
once said, "The government of a country never gets ahead of the
religion of a country." Fostering the faith and character of
our people is one of the great trusts of responsible leadership.
I deeply believe that if those in government offer a good example,
and if the people preserve the freedom which is their birthright
as Americans, no one need fear the future.
Unfortunately, in the last two decades, we've experienced
an onslaught of such twisted logic that if Alice were visiting
America, she might think she'd never left Wonderland. (Laughter.)
We're told that it somehow violates the rights of others to
permit students in school who desire to pray to do so. Clearly,
this infringes on the freedom of those who choose to pray --
a freedom taken for granted since the time of our Founding Fathers.
This would be bad enough but the purge of God from our schools
went much farther. In one case, a federal court ruled against
the right of children to voluntarily say grace before lunch in the
school cafeteria. In another situation, a group of children, again
on their own initiative and with their parents' approval, wanted
to begin the school day with a minute of prayer and meditation
and they, too, were prohibited from doing so. Students have
even been prevented from having voluntary prayer groups on
school property after class hours just on their own.
Now, no one is suggesting that others should be
forced into any religious activity. But to prevent those who
believe in God from expressing their faith is an outrage. And
the relentless drive to eliminate God from our schools can and
should be stopped. (Applause.)
This issue has brought people of good will and every
faith together to make the situation right. We believe that
permitting voluntary prayer in public schools is within the
finest traditions of this country and consistent with the
principles of American liberty. Neither the constitutional amendment
that I've endorsed nor the legislative remedies offered by others
permit anyone to be coerced into religious activity. Instead,
these measures are designed to protect the rights of those who
choose to pray as well as those who choose not to.
MORE
- 2 -
I want to thank all of you and all of those who'll gather
on the Capitol Mall this evening for what you're doing on this vital
issue. And a special thanks to Senator Helms, Senator Thurmond, and
Congressman Kindness for all that they have done. (Applause.)
And today, I'd like to take this opportunity to urge the
Senate to move directly on the constitutional amendment now awaiting
action. But Senate action is not enough. The leadership in the House
has the proposed constitutional amendment bottled up and has, thus far,
failed to hold the appropriate hearings.
Some suggest we should keep religion out of politics. The
opposite is also true. Those in politics should keep their hands off
of the religious freedom of our people and, especially, our children.
(Applause.)
Earlier I quoted Calvin Coolidge. He had some other words
I'd like to share with you. "It would be difficult for me to conceive,"
President Coolidge said, "of anyone being able to administer the duties
of a great office like the Presidency without a belief in the guidance
of Divine Providence. Unless the President is sustained by an abiding
faith in the divine power, I cannot understand how he would have the
courage to attempt to meet the various problems that constantly pour in
upon him from all parts of the earth."
After 20 months, I can attest to the truth of those words.
Faith in God is a vital guidepost, a source of inspiration and a pillar
of strength in times of trial. In recognition of this, the Congress
and the Supreme Court begin each day with a prayer. And that's why we
provide chaplains for the armed forces.
We can and must respect the rights of those who are
nonbelievers, but we must not cut ourselves off from this indispensable
source of strength and guidance.
I think it would be a tragedy for us to deny our children
what the rest of us, in and out of government, find so valuable. If
the President of the United States can pray with others in the Oval
Office -- and I have on a number of occasions -- then let's make certain
that our children have the same right as they go about preparing for
their futures and for the future of this country.
And now I understand that we're to light some candles. I
think you children are to go down there and someone is to present me
with a there it is. (Applause.) These three candles, as I understand
it, will start the ceremony tonight on the Mall.
Happy that we've had this opportunity this morning. God
bless you all. (Applause.)
END
12:37 P.M. EDT
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 20, 1983
MEMORANDUM TO: FAITH RYAN WHITTLESEY
THROUGH:
Jack C. Courtemanche
FROM:
Morton C. Blackwell
SUBJECT:
Prayer Amendment
Attached is a memorandum for your signature.
For whatever reason, Bob Kabel has not been able to
clarify the status of Senator Baker's commitment to
schedule a vote on the Prayer Amendment this fall.
The situation is politically dangerous for us.
We must resolve the question. Otherwise we will face
an avalanche of bad publicity for misleading supporters
of school prayer.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 20, 1983
MEMORANDUM TO KENNETH M. DUBERSTEIN
FROM:
FAITH RYAN WHITTLESEY
SUBJECT:
Delivery on School Prayer Vote in
the Senate This Year
Acting on assurances from your office that Senator Baker
is committed to scheduling a vote this fall on the President's
Voluntary School Prayer Amendment, many supportive groups have
spent much time and hundreds of thousands of dollars generating
grassroots influence on the senators.
The attached packet from Pat Robertson's Freedom Council
is paralleled by efforts from other broadcasters, denomination
heads, and lay groups.
For more than a week, we have reported to Bob Kabel that
senators, Senate staffers, and conservative activists have been
reporting that Senator Baker does not intend to keep his
agreement with you. Bob has been unable to get us a confirmation
or denial of this report.
If we fail to get a record Senate vote this fall on school
prayer, we will be badly discredited. I would appreciate your
getting me some definitive word now about the status of
Senator Baker's commitment. We have to respond to the queries
of those who have put themselves to so much trouble based on
our assurances.
The
Freedom
Council
P.O. Box 64323 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23464
October 4, 1983
Morton Blackwell
Office of Public Liaison
Special Assistant to the President
Old Executive Office Bldg.
Room 191
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Morton:
The following is a brief update of the activities of THE FREEDOM COUNCIL
concerning President Reagan's revised school prayer amendment.
Since August 8th we have been traveling around the country briefing
denominational heads and leaders of Christian groups on the school prayer issue.
As a result of these briefings, these leaders have agreed to do two things: (a)
write letters on their denominational or organizational letterhead to all 100
Senators asking them to vote yea on SJR #73 and nay on the alternative silent
meditation and prayer amendment; and (b) send word to their leaders in the
field, and through them, to the members of their denominations or organizations,
asking them to write the 2 U.S. Senators from their states.
To date we have personally briefed these leaders:
Dr. Ben Armstrong, Executive Director, National Religious Broadcasters
Dr. William Bright, President, Campus Crusade for Christ
*
Bishop Roderick Caesar, Head Bishop, United Pentecostal Council of the Assembly
of God, Inc.
Dr. James Draper, President, Southern Baptist Convention
Rev. H.O. Espinoza, Chairman of the Hispanic section of the National Religious
Broadcasters and President of PROMESA
Dr. Rudy Hernandez, President, Texas Southern Baptist Mexican Convention
Rev. Namsoo Kim, Pastor, Korean Assembly of God, Full Gospel New York Church
Dr. L.L. King, President, Christian & Missionary Alliance
Mrs Beverly LaHaye, President, Concerned Women of America
Al Matt, Publisher, The Wanderer, a conservative Catholic newspaper
Dr. Rolf McPherson, General Superintendent, International Church of the Four
Square Gospel
Bishop Paul Paino, President, Calvary Ministries International
D. Leland Paris, North & South American Director, Youth With a Mission
*Bishop J.O. Patterson, Presiding Bishop, Church of God in Christ
Dr. Dell Sanchez, member, Gulf Latin American District Council of the Assemblies
of God
Demos Shakarian, Founder and President, Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship
International
Bishop Leon Stewart, General Superintendent, Pentecostal Holiness Church
*Bishop Alvin Tate, Presiding Bishop, Soul Saving Station denomination
Rev. Morris Vaagenes, President, International Lutheran Center for Church Renewal
Rev. Robert Weiner, President and Founder, Maranatha Campus Ministries
Rev. Kenneth Wong, English Pastor, Oversea Chinesee Mission
Dr. Thomas Zimmerman, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God
In addition, we prepared and distributed special materials on the school
prayer issue for certain leaders whose schedules would not permit a personal
meeting, and briefed them by telephone and mail. They are: Rev. Billy Graham,
President, Billy Graham Association; Rev. Andrew Leung, Chairman, Chinese Pastors
Fellowship, New York City; Rev. Robert Tilton, Pastor, Word of Faith World
Outreach Center; Dr. Jerald Johnson, General Superintendent, The Nazarene Church;
Rev. Eugene McGee, Pastor's Prayer Fellowship of New York City; and Rev. John
Kim, Superintendent, Korean section of Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Mr. Harley Hickling, governmental and political analyst on our staff, has
personally followed up my work with these leaders by maintaining close telephone
contact with their offices. Thus we have been able to both monitor and increase
the response of national Christian leaders and their followers throughout the
nation.
During the final phase of this effort with the churches, we will increase
our efforts to obtain participation by mainline churches. We are now preparing
to meet with leaders in the Catholic, Episcopal, Presbyterian, United Methodist
and Menonite churches.
We have asked all these Christian leaders to send us copies of their
correspondence they receive from the U.S. Senators. This will help us find out
where individual senators stand on the school prayer issue in regard to both
amendments and possible alternatives. We have already begun intensified
"grassroots" lobbying efforts with some of these senators through our own
network of volunteer coordinators and through the efforts of local churches,
religious media, and local chapters of Christian organizations.
As part of our all out effort to secure passage of SJR #73 our Direct Mail
department developed a special package for those on the mailing list of the
Christian Broadcasting Network. On September 9, 1981 nearly 400,000 pieces were
mailed out over Pat Robertson's signature asking those on our mailing list to
contact their U.S. Senators to insure passage of the President's prayer amendment
and the defeat of the alternative amendment for silent meditation and silent
prayer. Everyone on the mailing list should have received this package between
September 16th and September 23rd, and subsequently contacted their 2 U.S.
Senators. CBN's "700 Club" will follow up this mailing with a special TV blitz
just prior to the vote on both amendments by the full Senate.
* Black denominations
Sincerely,
Ted
Ted Pantaleo,
Executive Director
TP/ifo
July 29, 1983
INITIAL PRAYER AMENDMENT STRATEGY
PHASE I
FULL SENATE
TIME FRAME
GOAL:
A. CBN Direct Mail Campaign (week of Aug. 15; Aug. 22)
67 U.S. Senators
must vote:
B. TV & Media Support (700 Club; NRB; Friends in
YES (SJR 73)
Broadcasting; Spots; PSA'S)
Labor Day
34 U.S. Senators
thru Oct. 1
must vote:
C. Coordination of Mail Campaign for Denominations
NO (Hatch Amend.)
and Christian organizations (So. Baptists; A.G.'s;
FGBMFI; Womens' Aglow; NRB; NAE; COGIC; Hispanics;
OBSTACLE:
Charismatic Lutherns; National Baptists; Catholics
(60 U.S. Senators must
and others)
also vote "for cloture"
to break expected filli-
PHASE II
buster)
HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE (27 Members: 16 Democrats
11 Republicans)
GOAL:
A. Lobbying members from home states (Peter Rodino,
Amendment voted out
Chairman, 10th District, N. J., etc.)
By Mid
of Committee for vote
Sept/later
on House floor
B. Try to get it referred to another committee
(immediately
after Senate
OBSTACLE: 218 House
vote)
Members must sign
Discharge Petition
to release from
House Judic. Committee
'HASE III
FULL HOUSE VOTE
GOAL:
Basically repeat and refine activities of PHASE I
?
290 House Members
must vote favorably
for Amendment
'HASE IV
38 STATE LEGISLATURES
GOAL:
Intense "in-state" lobbying of state elected
?
Ratified by 3/4 states
officials coordinated by TFC Coordinators as
directed by National Headquarters; supported
by groups in PHASE I,C
Full Gospel
Business Men's Fellowship
DEMOS SHAKARIAN
President/Founder
International
August 22, 1983
The Honorable Alan Cranston
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Cranston:
After meeting with President Reagan on July 12, to discuss school
prayer legislation, I wanted to say that we, as an organization,
emphatically endorse the new version of Senate Joint Resolution 73.
I strongly believe in the right of voluntary prayer in the public
schools. We are a theistic country. The Supreme Court has clearly
ruled that such acknowledgement of our theistic faith in the public
sector is our right by law. Voluntary prayer guarantees the same
right to our children. I believe we all share a strong desire to
do something effective to reverse the trend of excluding all
religious forms of speech from the public schools. S.J. Res. 73 is
intended to reverse the Supreme Court's school prayer decisions of
the early 1960's.
May I strongly urge you to support the President's revised amendment,
which would ensure that religion is not discriminated against in our
public schools, and vote NO on the alternative amendment. Our con-
stituency of 75,000 members, represented in 2700 chapters and
outreach ministries in 81 nations, oppose the silent prayer or
meditation amendment as expressed by Senator Orrin Hatch.
I would appreciate knowing how you specifically intend to vote on
this very vital and important issue.
Thank you for your leadership efforts on behalf of the school prayer
movement, Senator Cranston, and your assistance in helping to restore
voluntary religious expression to our public schools. God bless you
and our continued prayers are with you in your key role of leadership.
Sincerely,
DEMOS SHAKARIAN
International President
DS/ds
September 2, 1983
The Honorable
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator
:
At its recent 40th General Council of the Assemblies of God
meeting in Anaheim, California, delegates overwhelmingly passed
a resolution in support of senate joint Resolution #73, also known
as President Reagan's Revised Voluntary Prayer Amendment. The
same delegates also opposed the alternative amendment which calls
for silent meditation and silent prayer in the public schools.
The Assemblies of God represents over 10,000 churches in the
United States with some 1.8 million members. It is the largest
of the Pentecostal denominations with a worldwide constituency of
over 12 million.
It is my understanding that Resolution #73 will come. before
the Senate for vote within the next few weeks. I am personally
interested in seeing this resolution pass and therefore am
requesting that you indicate to me how you will vote on this
important matter.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely yours,
Thos. F. Zimmerman
General Superintendent
tls
Enc: 1
Dear :
I am writing to you on behalf of the more than 3 million members of my
denomination, The Church of God in Christ, the vast majority of whom favor
voluntary prayer in our public schools.
The black community throughout America has a rich and fervent religious
heritage. Since our people are so dependent upon the public school system we
want our children to be able to pray in their classrooms again.
More than most, perhaps, we understand what happened in our nations
classrooms when the Supreme Court asked God out of our schools. We know from
bitter experience that once this happened, heroin, cocaine, murder, ignorance,
illiteracy came into our public schools like a flood. If we are to upgrade the
quality of our public schools we must again give our children a consciousness of
God.
I ask you to wholeheartedly support the President's revised school prayer
amendment, Senate Joint Resolution #73, when it comes to the floor of the Senate
for a vote in the next few weeks. This amendment will not take away any rights
of non-Christian or non praying students, but simply would allow students who
want to pray the privilege that school children had enjoyed in our land for a
period of 170 years, prior to the Supreme Court decisions of the 1960's and 70's.
By the same token, I would ask you to oppose vigorously the alternative
"silent meditation and prayer" amendment, voted out of the Judiciary Committee
along with Senate Resolution #73. This amendment is dangerous because it would
not allow our children to mention God openly in our classrooms. It would
prohibit even the slightest vocal mention of the Creator throughout the entire
public education system of our nation. This amendment is totally unacceptable.
Again, I ask to use all the means at your disposal to stop passage of "silent
meditation and prayer" amendment.
Would you be so kind as to let me hear from you.
Believe me when I say, the black community is vitally concerned about the
fate of the prayer amendment in the United States Senate. Our children should no
longer be deprived of the right to pray, when the means to accomplish
that--namely, passage of SJR #73--is so close at hand.
Thank you in advance for representing our people on this issue and bringing
voluntary prayer back to our public schools.
Sincerely yours,
Bishop J.O. Patterson
Presiding Bishop
The Church of God in Christ
Today's Date
The Honorable John Doe
The United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Doe:
I am writing to you today concerning the President's
revised amendment calling for voluntary prayer in the public
schools, Senate Joint Resolution #73. When the President
first proposed his amendment I was opposed to it because it
would allow for state-composed prayers. While the vast
majority of our 14 million Southern Baptists favor voluntary
prayer in our public schools, we could not support such a
proposal. However, when the President at the urging of many
of us in the Christian community, added clear and precise
language which forbids any agent of the state or nation to
compose the words of prayer for our schools, I was elated.
I want. to urge you to support this proposed amendment.
It will allow the school children of America the same privilege
that we cherish for our congress, courts and other public
forums, namely the right to public prayer. We are not an
atheistic country. We are a nation that was founded upon
Biblical principles and upon a firm belief in God. Voluntary
prayer acknowledges this cherished heritage.
I must also express my strong opposition to the
alternative proposal which calls for silent prayer and
meditation. Because of the wording it could open the door for
the full removal of all religious acknowledgement from the
schools and eventually from public life. It must not be
accepted. I urge you to oppose that alternative proposal.
I would be interested in hearing from you concerning
this matter. I assure you that the people of this nation will
be watching this matter most carefully and that there are
millions of us who will not sit idly by and watch our
wonderful nation take on the atmosphere and posture of denying
God by removing all opportunities for prayer from the basic
education of our children.
Sincerely yours,
James T. Draper
The
Freedom
Council
P.O. Box 64323 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23464
September 14, 1983
The Honorable Ted Stevens
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Stevens:
My friend George Gallop last week gave me the interesting results of the
August 1983 Gallop Poll of the attitudes of Americans.
The American people are almost unanimously united on one major issue.
Democrats and Republicans, those over 55 and those under 30, blue collar
workers, blacks, Hispanics, college educated, high school educated, those
without high school education, all overwhelmingly favor a return to morality
in the public schools of America.
Specifically, Gallop has found that 81% of the American people are totally
familiar with a Constitutional amendment to permit voluntary prayer in the
public schools in America and an astounding 82% of those people in August
of 1983 favor such a Constitutional amendment.
Our organization has joined with a coalition of major religious groups,
including the largest Protestant denomination in America, the second largest
black denomination in America, the fifth largest Protestant denomination in
America, the vast majority of the National Association of Evangelicals, the
National Religious Broadcasters, the National Hispanic Broadcasters, and many
other major religious groups to support Senate Joint Resolution #73 to permit
voluntary prayer in public schools.
There has seldom been an issue as clear-cut as this one, and I urge your
favorable vote when the measure comes before the United States Senate in
early October, for the following reasons:
(1) The amendment reestablishes time honored Constitutional rights which
were erroneously taken away by Supreme Court action only 20 years ago.
(2) From a sociological perspective the alarming decline in Scholastic
Aptitude Tests and the equally alarming increase in delinquent behavior
amoung our teenagers can be traced back to the breakdown of morality in
our public schools subsequent to 1962.
Senator Ted Stevens
September 14, 1983
Page Two
(3) Seldom will you have the privilege of voting in favor of an issue
which enjoys such overwhelming support from every class of your
constituents in your State.
With thanks in advance for your consideration of this issue of vital
importance to all the people of our nation, and with all good wishes,
I am
Pat
Cordially yours
Pat Robertson
President
PR:bj
The
Freedom
Council
P.O. Box 64323 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23464
September 29, 1983
Rev. Andrew Leung, Chairman
Chinese Pastors Fellowship New York City
Chinese Christian & Missionary Alliance
149 E. Broadway
New York, N.Y. 10002
Dear Rev. Leung:
Yesterday I had a delightful meeting with Pastor Kenneth Wong at his church
in Chinatown, New York City and he suggested that I contact you immediately.
As you know two proposed constitutional amendments on school prayer were
voted out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 14th:
the revised version of Senate Joint Resolution #73
(President's Amendment)
an alternative amendment calling for silent meditation
and silent prayer
Both amendments will be considered by the full Senate in early October.
Between now and then a massive mail campaign will be launched by denominations
and religious groups across America. The hope is that a well coordinated campaign
by Christian leaders will help bring prayer back again to our public school system.
To be activated at once, this campaign will have 2 immediate goals, namely:
(1) to ask Senators to secure passage of the President's revised prayer amendment
and (2) to provide us with immediate feedback from our Senators as to how they
plan to vote and why. Responses from our Senators will be very important in
determining a national lobbying strategy for the Body of Christ in this matter.
We are asking you, and other heads of Christian denominations and Christian
organizations, to write letters to all 100 United States Senators. These letters
should be on the senator's desks no later than October 7th. They should indicate
that these senators represent the denominations or Christian groups by voting YES
for Senate Joint Resolution #73 and voting NO for the alternative silent
meditation and silent prayer amendment.
The second part of the letter should attempt to get a response from the
senators on how they intend to vote specifically in this situation. To help us
coordinate this campaign as effectively as possible, we are asking you and the
other denominational and organizational leaders to do one more thing. Please
forward the responses from the senators to THE FREEDOM COUNCIL as soon as
possible amendment. so we can gather intelligence and more effectively lobby for this
Finally, would you ask the pastors and leaders of the Chinese Christian &
Missionary Alliance to write a similar letter to the 2 United States senators
from their home states. In addition, they should ask the members of their
congregations to do the same thing. These letters should reach the senator on or
before October 10th.
In this way, your letter and the letters of the following Christian leaders
will be in the hands of the aforementioned senators on or before October 7th: Dr.
James Draper, President, Southern Baptist Convention; Dr. William Bright, Pres-
ident, Campus Crusade for Christ; Rev. Morris Vaagenes, President, International
Lutheran Center for Church Renewal; Mrs Beverly LaHaye, President, Concerned
Women of America; Dr. Thomas Zimmerman, General Superintendent, Assemblies of
God; Demos Shakarian, Founder and President, Full Gospel Businessmen Inter-
national; Dr. L.L. King, President, Christian and Missionary Alliance; Bishop
J.O. Patterson, Presiding Bishop, Church of God in Christ; Dr. Ben Armstrong,
Executive Director, National Religious Broadcasters; Rev. H.O. Espinoza, Chairman
of the Hispanic section of the National Religious Broadcasters; Rev. Bob Weiner,
Maranatha Campus Ministries; Dr. Rolf McPherson, General Superintendent, Inter-
national Church of the Four Square Gospel, and others. The state and local
leaders of these denominations and Christian organizations will then be writing
similar letters to their senators to arrive on their desks by October 10th.
Senator Strom Thurmond reminded us at a recent hearing of the Senate
Judiciary Committee that, "We had prayer in our public schools for 170 years. We
would like to thank you, and the leaders and members of the Chinese Christian
Missionary and Alliance for your efforts to see that prayer is again restored in
our nation's classrooms.
God bless you, my brother.
Your brother in Christ,
Ted
Ted Pantaleo,
Executive Director
TP/ifo
P.S. All United States Senators may be reached at:
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
FOR RELEASE:
The Gallup Poll
Thursday,
September 8, 1983
Since 1935
8 In 10 Favor Amendment Permitting
Voluntary Group Prayer In Schools
By George Gallup
PRINCETON, N.J. - An overwhelming majority of
Here are the national findings:
Americans favor a Constitutional Amendment that would
permit voluntary group prayer in public schools.
Voluntary School Prayer
Among the 8 in 10 who have followed the pros and
(Based on aware group)
cons of the debate over prayer in public schools, 81% say
Favor - Total
81%
they favor the proposed Amendment while 14% oppose it
Very strongly
48%
and 5% are undecided.
Fairly strongly
29
Public support for such an Amendment has remained
Not at all strongly
4
firm over the 15 months since President Reagan first
Oppose - Total
14
proposed it. A May 1982 survey showed 78% of the
aware group (also 82% in that survey) in favor of the
Not at all strongly
2
Reagan proposal, 16% opposed and 6% with no opinion.
Fairly strongly
5
Very strongly
7
Many Express Strong Support
No opinion
5
Nearly half of the aware group (48%) say they
100%
strongly favor the proposed Amendment, while 33%
express mild support. On the disapproval side, 7% say
Here are the results by key population groups:
they strongly oppose the Amendment, while 7% express
mild opposition.
Voluntary School Prayer
(Based on aware group)
The Reagan Proposal
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
The President's proposed Amendment states:
%
%
%
Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to
NATIONAL
81
14
5
prohibit individual or group prayer in public schools or
Men
79
16
5
other public institutions. No person shall be required by
Women
83
12
5
the United States or by any state to participate in prayer.
Whites
79
15
6
Organized group prayer in public schools effectively
Non-whites
91
7
2
came to an end in 1962 after the Supreme Court ruled it
18-29 years
77
18
5
violated the First Amendment.
30-49 years
79
15
6
All persons in the current survey were first asked this
50 & older
85
10
5
question:
College education
72
21
7
Have you heard or read about a proposed Amend-
High school
84
11
5
ment to the U.S. Constitution that would allow voluntary
Grade school
94
5
1
prayer in the public schools?
Catholics
84
10
6
Protestants
84
11
5
Eight in 10 (82%) replied in the affirmative. This
Baptists
91
6
3
"aware" group was then asked:
Methodists
82
11
7
Do you favor or oppose this proposed Amendment?
Republicans
85
10
5
How strongly do you favor (oppose) this proposed
Democrats
81
14
5
Amendment - very strongly, fairly strongly, or not at all
Independents
77
16
7
strongly?
East
81
16
6
Midwest
85
10
5
South
86
9
5
West
67
25
8
Home Is Seen As Key Training Ground
Although the public overwhelmingly favors permit-
ting voluntary prayer in schools, the prevailing opinion
among all groups and faiths is that the home is more
important than either the church or schools in the religious
training of children.
Currently 80% say the home is most important in the
religious and spiritual development of a child while 15%
name the church and only 2%, the schools.
Which one of the following do you think is the most
important in the religious and spiritual development of a
child - the home, school, or the Church?
Home
80%
Church
15
School
2
No opinion
3
100%
The results reported today are based on in-person
interviews with 1,567 adults, 18 and older, conducted in
more than 300 scientifically-selected locations across the
nation during the period July 22-25.
For results based on a sample of this size, one can say
with 95% confidence that the error attributable to sam-
pling and other random effects could be 3 percentage
points in either direction.
The
Freedom
Council
P.O. Box 64323 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23464
U. S. STATE SENATORS
ALABAMA
ILLINOIS
Howell Heflin (D)
Charles H. Percy (R)
Jeremiah Denton (R)
Alan J. Dixon (D)
ALASKA
INDIANA
Ted Stevens (R)
Richard G. Lugar (R)
Frank H. Murkowski (R)
Dan Quayle (R)
ARIZONA
IOWA
Barry Goldwater (R)
Roger W. Jepsen (R)
Dennis DeConcini (D)
Charles E. Grassley (R)
ARKANSAS
KANSAS
Dale Bumpers (D)
Robert Dole (R)
David Pryor (D)
Nancy L. Kassebaum (R)
CALIFORNIA
KENTUCKY
Alan Cranston (D)
Walter D. Huddleston (D)
Pete Wilson (R)
Wendell H. Ford (D)
COLORADO
LOUISIANA
William L. Armstrong (R)
Russell B. Long (D)
Gary Hart (D)
J. Bennett Johnston, Jr. (D)
CONNECTICUT
MAINE
Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. (R)
William S. Cohen (R)
Christopher J. Dodd (D)
George Mitchell (D)
DELAWARE
MARYLAND
William V. Roth, Jr. (R)
Charles McC. Mathias, Jr. (R)
Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D)
Paul Sarbanes (D)
FLORIDA
MASSACHUSETTS
Lawton Chiles (D)
Edward M. Kennedy (D)
Paula Hawkins (R)
Paul E. Tsongas (D)
GEORGIA
MICHIGAN
Sam Nunn (D)
Donald W. Riegle, Jr. (D)
Mack Mattingly (R)
Carl Levin (D)
HAWAII
MINNESOTA
Daniel K. Inouye (D)
David Durenberger (R)
Spark Matsunaga (D)
Rudy Boschwitz (R)
IDAHO
MISSISSIPPI
James A. Mc Clure (R)
John C. Stennis (D)
Steven D. Symms (R)
Thad Cochran (R)
MEMO
to:
TFC Coordinators
copy to: File
from:
Ted Pantaleo, Executive Director, THE FREEDOM COUNCIL
subject: Brief on Silent Prayer and Meditation Amendment
date:
August 16, 1983
"Nothing in this constitution shall be construed to pro-
hibit individual or group silent prayer or meditation in
public schools. Neither the United. States or any state
shall require any person to partcipate in such prayer or
meditation, nor shall they encourage any particular form
of prayer or meditation."
"Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to pro-
hibit Equal Access to the use of Public School facilities
by all voluntary student groups."
--Alternative Prayer Amendment
We have discussed the alternative amendment to Senate Joint Resolution #73 (the
President's school prayer amendment) with the following constitutional attorneys:
Sam Ericsson, Director, Washington Office, Christian Legal Society; John
Whitehead, Founder, Rutherford Institute; Steve Galebach, Policy Staff, The White
House; and Dr. Herb Titus, Dean of CBN's School of Public Policy.
Generally they oppose this amendment on the grounds that it puts the emphasis on
silence. Silent prayer has not been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
From that standpoint, the alternative amendment is unnecessary and would create
confusion.
In addition, there was agreement on two other objections to the proposed silent
prayer and meditation amendment: (1) it would legally support the practice of
eastern religions and transcendental meditation in our public schools, and (2)
through the emphasis on silence, it would also jeopardize all oral devotional
prayers in schools, including benedictions and invocations.
Sam Ericsson said he was strongly opposed to the silent prayer and meditation
aspect contained in the first section of the amendment. He stated it was "very
limiting and implies no other form of prayer should ever be permitted." Ericsson
also said the second section of the amendment infers that "equal access" is now
illegal (unconstitutional) in our public schools. The U.S. Supreme Court has not
so ruled, therefore this provision would generate great confusion in the courts
of the land.
The
Freedom
Council
P.O. Box 64323 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23464
September 1, 1983
Archbishop J.R. Roach
Catholic Archdiocese
226 Summit Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55102
Dear Archbishop Roach:
As you may know two proposed constitutional amendments on school prayer
were voted out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 14th:
the revised version of Senate Joint Resolution #73
(President's Amendment)
an alternative amendment calling for silent meditation
and silent prayer
Both amendments will be considered by the full Senate around the 1st of
October. Between now and then a massive mail campaign will be launched by
denominations and religious groups across America. The hope is that a well
coordinated campaign by Christian leaders will help bring prayer back again to
our public school system.
To be activated at once, this campaign will have 2 immediate goals, namely:
(1) to ask Senators to secure passage of the President's revised prayer amendment
and (2) to provide us with immediate feedback from our Senators as to how they
plan to vote and why. Responses from our Senators will be very important in
determining a national lobbying strategy for the Body of Christ in this matter.
We are asking you, and other heads of Christian denominations and Christian
organizations, to write letters to the following United States senators: Senator
Howard Baker, Majority Leader; Senator Robert C. Byrd, Minority Leader; Senator
Strom Thurmond, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee of the United States Senate;
and the 2 U.S. Senators from the state where denominations or Christian
organizations are currently based. These letters should be on the senator's desks
no later than September 15th. They should indicate that these senators represent
the denominations or Christian groups by voting YES for Senate Joint Resolution
#73 and voting NO for the alternative silent meditation and silent prayer
amendment.
The second part of the letter should attempt to get a response from the
senators on how they intend to vote specifically in this situation. To help us
coordinate this campaign effectively as possible, we are asking you and the other
denominational and organizational leaders to do one more thing. Please forward
the responses from the senators to THE FREEDOM COUNCIL as soon as possible so we
can gather intelligence and more effectively lobby for this amendment.
Finally, would you ask all pastors, and leaders of your Diocese throughout
the United States to write a similar letter to the 2 United State senators from
their home states. In addition, they should ask the members of their congregations
to do the same thing. These letters should reach the senator on or before
September 22nd.
In this way, your letter and the letters of the following Christian leaders
will be in the hands of the aforementioned senators on or before September 15th:
Dr. Thomas Zimmerman, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God; Demos Shakarian,
Founder and President, Full Gospel Businessmen International; Dr. L.L. King,
President, Christian Missionary and Alliance; Dr. William R. Bright, President,
Campus Crusade for Christ; Dr. James Draper, Southern Baptist Convention; Bishop
J.O. Patterson, Presiding Bishop, Church of God in Christ; Dr. Ben Armstrong,
Executive Director, National Religious Broadcasters; H.O. Espinoza, Chairman of
the Hispanic section of the National Religious Broadcasters; Rev. Bob Weiner,
Maranatha Campus Ministries and others. The state and local leaders of these
denominations and Christian organizations will then be writing similar letters to
their senators to arrive on their desks by September 22nd.
Senator Strom Thurmond reminded us at a recent hearing of the Senate
Judiciary Committee that, "We had prayer in our public schools for 170 years." We
would like to thank you and the leaders of your Diocese for your efforts to see
that prayer is again restored in our nation's classrooms.
God bless you, my brother.
Your brother in Christ,
Ted Pantatio
Ted Pantaleo,
Executive Director
TP/ifo
P.S. All United States Senators may be reached at:
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510