Mrs. MYRICK. Yes, Mr. Speaker, I yield 3
minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. PAUL).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Texas is recognized for 3 minutes.
1998 Ron Paul 55:1
Mr. PAUL.
I thank the gentlelady for yielding. I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks.
1998 Ron Paul 55:3
Mr. PAUL.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this
rule. Today we are having a debate on
a very serious problem that does deserve
our attention. We can do this by
supporting this rule.
1998 Ron Paul 55:4
I am in entire agreement with the
authors of this amendment in their
concern for the systematic attack on
religious expression throughout the
country. There is no doubt hostility exists,
especially against conservative religious
expression. It is pervasive and
routinely expressed in our courts.
1998 Ron Paul 55:5
And those who attack religious values
are, unfortunately, not doing it in the
defense of constitutional liberty. Secular
humanism, although equivalent to
a religion, is passed off as being neutral
with respect to spiritual beliefs, and
yet too often used to fill the void by
forced exclusion of other beliefs.
1998 Ron Paul 55:6
This is indeed a problem deserving
our close attention, but the approach
through this constitutional amendment
is not the solution. I was a cosponsor
of the original version of the
amendment, but after serious reconsideration,
especially after the original
version was changed, I now am unable
to vote for it.
1998 Ron Paul 55:7
The basic problem is that our courts
are filled with judges that have no understanding
or concern for the constitutional
principles of original intent,
the Doctrine of Enumerated Powers,
or property rights. As long as that
exists, any new amendment to the Constitution
will be likewise abused.
1998 Ron Paul 55:8
And this amendment opens the door for
further abuse. Most of those who support
this amendment concede that,
quoting the authors of the amendment,
“Because government is today found
everywhere, this growth of government
has dictated a shrinking of religion.”
This is true, so the solution should be
to shrink the government, not to further
involve the Federal Government
on how States and school districts use
their property.
1998 Ron Paul 55:9
This amendment further enables the
Federal Government to do more mischief. The only solution is to shrink
the government and raise a new generation
of judges and Congressmen who
understand the constitutional principles
of original intent, the Doctrine
of Enumerated Powers, and property
rights. If we do this, the First Amendment,
freedom of religious expression,
will be protected.
1998 Ron Paul 55:10
Another recourse, less complicated
than amending the Constitution, is for
Congress to use its constitutional authority
to remove jurisdiction from the
courts in the areas where the courts
have been the most abusive of free expression. Unfortunately, this amendment encourages a government solution
to the problems by allowing the
Federal Government and Federal
courts to instruct States and local
school districts on the use of their
property. This is in direct contrast to
the original purpose of the Constitution,
to protect against a strong central
government and in support of
State and local government.
1998 Ron Paul 55:11
Until our judges and even our Congress
has a better understanding of
the current Constitution and a willingness
to follow it, new constitutional
amendments will do little to help and
will more likely make things worse.
1998 Ron Paul 55:1 I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me
the time, Mr. Speaker. Here, Ron Paul thanks The Honorable
Sue Wilkins Myrick of North Carolina.
