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

   FOR RELEASE                              Contact:  Kathryn Kahler    October 4, 1995                                    (202) 401-3026

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley Regarding Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Decision

The recent decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is a positive and welcome endorsement by the courts that the religious guidelines sent by me to school districts last August define the law accurately and give clear guidance to principals and teachers in resolving disputes regarding the religious rights of students.

In the case of Ceniceros v. San Diego School District, the Ninth Circuit affirmed the right of student-led religious groups to meet during the lunch hour and at other non-instructional times during the school day.

At the urging of the White House, the Justice Department filed an amicus brief on behalf of the student. Many conservative religious groups including the Christian Legal Society also joined the case.

This is a good, concrete example of this Administration's commitment to religious liberty. We will continue to be aggressive in protecting the religious rights of students. At the same time, we will always remind Americans that the First Amendment is a delicate balance between the Establishment Clause and religious expression. Our goal will always be to find the balance.