School Readiness Act of 2005

Floor Speech

SCHOOL READINESS ACT OF 2005 -- (House of Representatives - September 22, 2005)

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Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Boustany amendment which seeks to include important protections for religious organizations in this bill.

As I stated in my remarks during consideration of the rule, this Nation is second to none in charitable giving and in helping others in need. This is not just a religious tenet, but an American principle, and we as Americans must continue to encourage and foster that spirit of giving and serving others. Not allowing those organizations, who have proven they are some of the best at feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and housing the homeless, to provide early childhood education for our children is just wrong.

A secular group, such as Planned Parenthood or the Sierra Club, that receives government money is currently free to hire based on its ideology and mission, but still use Federal funds for certain programs and activities they provide. Yet, groups that are religious in nature are not allowed to hire according to their ideology and mission? Because an organization has among its purposes and basic tenets to serve others is not a reason to discriminate against them.

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