American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

United States Supreme Court (June 7, 1993) in the case of Lamb's Chapel v. Center Moriches Union Free School District, rendered a 9-0 unanimous decision, overturning a ruling by the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The case involved a New York school district that had rejected the request for facilities, which are made available for other non-curricular uses, to be used for the showing of Dr. James Dobson's film, Turn Your Heart Toward Home. The Supreme Court allowed the film to be shown, thereby upholding the right of freedom of speech, including religious free speech, within the public arena.  Free...

United States Court of Appeals-7th Circuit (May 17, 1993) rendered its opinion in the case of Walsh v. Boy Scouts of America. In 1989, Elliott Walsh of Hinsdale, an agnostic, had sued the Boy Scouts on behalf of his 10-year-old son, Mark, claiming religious discrimination against the West Suburban Council Tiger Cub Scout chapter. The Court ruled that the Boy Scouts could keep the phrase "duty to God" in their oath, and as a private organization they had the right to exclude anyone who refused to take the oath. Judge John Coffey, in delivering the 2-1 majority opinion, stated the Boy...

Missouri Proclamation (May 3, 1993) signed by Governor Mel Carnahan declaring November 21-November 27, 1993, as "Christian Heritage Week". (A similar Proclamation was also signed May 17, 1994): <WHEREAS, For many Missourians, life in the one-room schoolhouse began with a daily Pledge of Allegiance, prayer, and Bible reading; and WHEREAS, The Missouri Legislature opens each daily session with a prayer to Almighty God; and WHEREAS, Missouri has been richly blessed in natural resources, reflecting God's miracle of creation; and WHEREAS, The Bill of Rights to the Constitution of Missouri guarantees religious freedom to all citizens; and WHEREAS, Thanksgiving week is an...

City of Coppell, Texas (April 27, 1993) passed the following resolution: <RESOLUTION No. 042793.1 A RESOLUTION URGING THAT PRAYER BE RETURNED TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THAT CITIES ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS JOIN IN AN EFFORT TO REINSTATE PRAYER IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY PASSING SIMILAR RESOLUTIONS AND UNITING IN A GRASS ROOTS MOVEMENT FOR THAT PURPOSE. WHEREAS, the Constitution of the United States Article (1) states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." WHEREAS, our nation was founded upon the many different religious beliefs and ideals of settlers from other...

West Virginia Proclamation (March 1, 1993) signed by Governor Gaston Caperton declaring November 21-November 27, 1993, as "Christian Heritage Week". (A similar Proclamation was also signed February 18, 1994.): <WHEREAS, For many West Virginians, life in the one-room schoolhouse began with a daily Pledge of Allegiance, prayer, and Bible reading; and WHEREAS, The West Virginia legislature opens each daily session with a prayer to Almighty God; and WHEREAS, West Virginia has been richly blessed in natural resources, reflecting God's miracle of creation; and WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights to the Constitution of West Virginia guarantees religious freedom to all citizens; and WHEREAS,...