WHEREAS in the September 11th terrorist attacks on America and the subsequent anthrax attacks, evil forces have attempted to wreak fear in the hearts of all Americans; and

WHEREAS our young people are particularly vulnerable to these unsettling feelings; and

WHEREAS there has been a national rekindling of expressions of faith and patriotism; and

WHEREAS our nation has a long and rich heritage of seeking God in time of trouble; and

WHEREAS the U.S. Supreme Court has declared in its most recent ruling on religious activities in schools that "nothing in the Constitution as interpreted by this court prohibits any public school students from voluntarily praying at any time before during, or after the school day." (Jane Doe v. Santa Fe, 2000); and

WHEREAS the words of Chief Justice William Rehnquist, "nothing, absolutely nothing, is so inclined to foster among religious believers of various faiths a toleration --no, an affection-- for one another than voluntarily joining in prayer together" (Lee v. Weisman, 1992); and

WHEREAS faith is such an important pillar of our society and nation that our national motto as officially adopted by the U.S. Congress is "In God We Trust"; and

WHEREAS our national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner," declares, "Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven rescued land, praise the Power that hath made and preserved us as a nation!  When conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto:  In God is our trust;" and

WHEREAS from the very beginning of our nation to the founding of our national government in 1774--and from the Continental Congress to the Constitutional Convention, and the years after the establishment of the Constitution--prayer has been a consoling force in times of trouble and uncertainty; and

WHEREAS one of the purposes of education is to prepare students to good citizens in their community, their State, and their nation; and

WHEREAS an appreciation and respect not only for beliefs and traditions of others, but also for the beliefs and traditions of the nation form a part of good citizenship; and 

WHEREAS many misguided individuals attempt to pressure schools into restricting religious expression which the Supreme Court has not prohibited and which are, in fact, constitutional, now therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the State Board of Education encourages each Texas school district to preserve and protect the rights of students of faith to join with others in their school and community, as well as with millions of others throughout the State and nation, in exercising their constitutional right of voluntary, non-coercive prayer and their constitutionally protected right to express their feelings of faith and patriotism; and be further

RESOLVED, that the State Board of Education directs that a copy of this resolution be mailed to each school district in the State of Texas.

WITNESS our signature this ninth day of November, two thousand and one, in Austin, Texas.

Signed by Grace Shore, Chair
Cynthia A. Thornton, Secretary