A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

FOR RELEASE:
Contact: Julie Green (202) 401-3026

June 4,1998

 The religious freedom of America's school children is well protected by our nation's Bill of Rights. The defeat today of the Istook Amendment is a positive sign that the Congress refused to tamper with the First Amendment.

 I congratulate the bipartisan coalition of Democrats and Republicans who voted to defeat the Istook Amendment for their strong support of religious liberty for America's families and schoolchildren.

 My office will continue to work very hard to ensure that our nation's public schools are fully aware of and using the presidential guidelines on "Religious expression in public schools."

 These guidelines have been used in countless schools across the country to protect the right of school children to express their private religious beliefs by reading their bibles, joining prayer clubs and saying grace at lunch. At the same time, these young people are also free from religious coercion.

 Our nation's public schools must treat religion with fairness and respect and vigorously protect private religious expression as well the freedom of conscience of all students. By using these guidelines our nation's public schools can find that balance.

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