Jones Calls On Schools Superintendent To Remove Book Promoting Gay Marriage From Elementary Schools

Washington, D.C.- Third District Representative Walter B. Jones today called on North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Ward to take the steps necessary remove a book promoting homosexual marriage from elementary schools. The book, "King and King", an illustrated children's book by Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland, has been available in some North Carolina elementary schools and presents one man marrying another man as a valid lifestyle choice.

"Since local boards of education may not adopt library book procurement rules that are inconsistent with policies of the State Board of Education", wrote Jones in a letter to Ward, "the fact that this book - aimed at validating a view of marriage that is inconsistent with North Carolina law - is in an elementary school library is indicative of a larger problem. Namely, either the State Board of Education has inadequate policies surrounding the selection and procurement of library books, or it is inadequately enforcing whatever rules it does have."

"In an age in which parents are increasingly forced to shield their children from a popular culture that rejects traditional moral values, they have a reasonable expectation that their tax dollars will not be used to further undermine their value systems. This particular schoolbook promotes gay marriage, and is geared towards validating what a clear majority of taxpayers would regard as an attack on traditional marriage. The fact that the State of North Carolina has not - or will not - take the appropriate steps to stop tax dollars from being used to purchase and house this type of literature is unacceptable."

Concluded Jones, "The choice of whether - and how - to expose such controversial topics to young children should be placed in the hands of parents, not un-elected and unaccountable school officials. Parents expect that their tax dollars will not be used to undermine their values. They expect their political leaders to stand with them in this matter."