T. I. Early Class: Texas Government 2306
TIE2000@aol.com
Policy Issue: The public policy I chose was having a moment of silence during school. This is a very important issue in Texas schools today. One of our Texas schools is currently going through a lawsuit because of practicing this issue in there school.
Pros_and_Cons: Having a moment of silence during school time hours would seem to be normal to most. But for some, they make it to be a real issue. One group called the "Wallbuilders", who are headquartered in Aledo, TX, is an "educational" organization with a goal to exert a direct influence on government, education and the family "by (1) educating the nation concerning the Godly foundation of our country and (2) working with elected and appointed federal, state, and local officials to develop public policies which reflect Biblical values." Founder and president David Barton has published several books and produced several videotapes calling for the restoration of "America s Christian values." In these works Barton argues that the separation of church and state is a myth foisted on the country when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that government-sponsored prayer in the public schools was unconstitutional. The United States, Barton insists, was founded by Christians and was intended to be a fundamentalist-style Christian nation. Barton argues that the Supreme Courts ruling on prayer in schools is directly tied to the erosion of morals in this country and is just one example of renegade federal judges who too often impose their own personal values on communities.
An example of those opposed to having a moment of silence in school, occurred in March of 2006, when the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District is being sued in a Texas federal district court by the parents of an elementary school child. They state that the states mandated moment of silence in public schools violates the Establishment Clause principle of separation of church and state. The parents contend that there is no secular reason for a moment of silence and characterizes it as a "ruse to get prayer in school without calling it prayer in school."
Students_Position: I am strongly for having a moment of silence and prayer in schools. As growing up we always said the pledge of allegience in school. During our school activities there was always a prayer before and a moment of silence. I was a cheerleader throughout high school and before every football game we would pray in a circle and say "The Lord's" prayer, as well as, before any of our competitions we would site this prayer. Neither then or now do I see a problem that this should be in our school system today.
Official: The official I will try to influence on this issue is Governor Rick Perry.
Why_Official: I selected Governor Perry, because in the law suit against the Carrollton-Farmers Branch school disctrict Governor Perry was listed as a defendent in the case. By him being a defendent for this case it shows that maybe we would agree on it and he would help the attempt on getting prayers back in schools.
Works_Sited: http://www.nsba.org
http://www.tfn.org/religiousright/texasorgs/
www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/jan-jun00/prayerdecision.html
www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/prayer1.htm
Contact_Letter: August 11, 2002
Governor Rick Perry
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711-2428
Dear Governor Perry:
I am writing you today in regards to a law suit against the Carrollton-Farmers Branch school district. I was completely upset when I seen a school district getting sued over having a moment of silence. In the lawsuit I noticed that you were acting as a defendent, which I was glad to see a Texas Representative stick up for the schools rights.
As being a 24 year old now, I wanted to state issues that were more than legal during my younger school days and are now illegal for schools to take part in.
I remember growing up in public schools, starting my kindergarten year and continuing through grade school, that we would start each morning off with the Pledge of Allegience. When someone that was close to us had passed away, our school would allow moment of silence for that person. During any sports event we would start the game off with a prayer over the loud speacker. As being a cheerleader in high school, we would compete at many competitions. Before any of these events we would always state "The Lord's Prayer." If anything, I would say that the prayers helped me throughout my school days. I think that it is rediculous that our society today is pushing all of this out of our schools. I will be the first to admit that I am not a regular "church
goer," but just because I don't attend church, does not mean that I shouldn't pray or give those who lost there lives a moment of silence. I'm hoping that with your campaign coming up in November that you can stress this issue to help others understand that just because they claim to not be "christians," that it is still ok to pray for an event that is about to occur and that there is nothing wrong with paying respects to those that you have loss.
Thank You For Your Time,
Miss Turn Itin Early