Lawmakers March 8 1984 Footage

LAWMAKERS, March 8, 1984
This clip is not available for streaming at this time. Please contact WPA.	Tape Master:	11243
	Catalog #:	489317
	Clip Number:	489317-2
	Orginal Film:	LM 135
	Timecode:
	Location:	Capitol Building and Environs, misc.
	Year Shot:	1984 (Actual Year)
	Audio:	Yes
	Color:	Yes
	Headings:	GOVERNMENT: United States, Congress
	Description:	[19.58.31-shot of Dr. GARY ROSS, 7th day Adventist church, standing at podium to address an audience, outdoors-cut to shot of ROSS from front of podium, face obscured, wearing odd beret-like hat]. ROSS states that the kind of ritualized prayer that is favored by SCHOOL PRAYER advocates trivialized the idea of praying. If institutionalized… shots of audience, adults and some children, most looking on gravely, wearing winter coats. ROSS warns that the kind of prayer favored by SCHOOL PRAYER supporters, if institutionalized, could subvert the CONSTITUTIONAL guarantee of RELIGIOUS PLURALISM. Cut to shot of a predominantly Black church choir, yellow robed choir, female leader in yellow in foreground, man seated at drum kit visible-an upbeat hymn is sung with synchronized hand waving by choir] WERTHEIMER v.o. states that FUNDAMENTALIST CHRISTIANS and others disagree. Shot of young white man, waving small American flag in one hand and red-bound BIBLE in other. WERTHEIMER states that both sides held vigils to pray for the SENATORS considering SCHOOL PRAYER. [19.59.02-shot of a sign carried by a demonstrator, "RETURN GOD TO OUR SCHOOLS AND LIVE AS A NATION UNDER CHRIST", signed by Polish Freedom Fighters. Shot of Capitol Dome from groundlevel, interior is lit] A man's voice delivers a convocation prayer about American aspiration to be "One Nation, under God". Shot of attendees at vigil, most listening with eyes closed, some hold umbrellas-shot of speaker. Speaker states that children must be allowed to use God's name in reverence and not merely in profanity and curses, asks for God's mercy on the nation. WERTHEIMER v.o. identifies speaker as Alabama Senator Jeremiah DENTON , Roman Catholic and former Vietnam POW. Shot of DENTON seated in an office setting with female interviewer. WERTHEIMER v.o. states that DENTON believes that if prayer is brought back to PUBLIC SCHOOLS, "God will bless America". DENTON says he learned in prison in vietnam that group prayer is more effective and powerful than solitary prayer. Shot of PRO-PRAYER demonstrators, holding signs, chanting "KIDS WANT TO PRAY". Marchers chant, pan along line of young adult marchers. Shot of man speaking into microphone, states that "this is not religious freedom", it is tyranny. Shot of PRO-PRAYER marchers applauding enthusiastically, speaker states that "my forefathers didn't stand for it and I won't either", more cheers [20.00.12-marchers filing away from CAPITOL STEPS, carrying PRO-PRAYER signs. WERTHEIMER v.o. states that RELIGIOUS CONSERVATIVES have gained in the SENATE, but with the prospect of success closer, compromise bills have been proposed. Graphic/titles showing proposed compromise bill, WERTHEIMER v.o. describes. The COMPROMISE PROPOSAL would allow either vocal or silent PRAYER, Voluntary prayer, and prayer that is not written by government institutions.President REAGAN seated in "FIRESIDE CHAT" posture giving a TV address. WERTHEIMER states REAGAN is a strong advocate of SCHOOL PRAYER. REAGAN states that wants to protect the right of schoolchildren to begin their day with prayer, the same way that members of Congress do. headshot of Jerry FALWELL preaching, superimposed on background of AMERICAN FLAG. WERTHEIMER states that REAGAN appeared on FALWELL'S "SPIRITUAL STATE OF THE UNION" program. [20.00.50-shot of 5 conservatively dressed male college students, with an older male leader. WERTHEIMER states that FALWELL dispatched students from his LIBERTY BIBLE COLLEGE to D.C. to lobby senators [leader of group instructs students on how to get SENATORS' attention-by handing out blackboard erasers "erase the ban on voluntary school prayer"] [20.01.05-one student shown entering a Senatorial office (Sen. Rudy BOSCHWITZ, to lobby. STUDENT meets Aide, explains his purpose, hands a letter to Aide. WERTHEIMER v.o. states that some lawmakers have held out for a 'MOMENT OF SILENCE" to avoid making a commitment, and have been under pressure to support the PRO-PRAYER side. [20.01.24-Sen. LOWELL WIECKER (R-CT) speaking to microphones in front of a bookcase. WERTHEIMER v.o. states that WEICKER is on the record saying that he won't compromise with the PRO-PRAYER side. WEICKER says he can't imagine fighting harder for anything than the issue of RELIGIOUS FREEDOM (meaning NO SCHOOL PRAYER) [20.01.13-a woman speaking on telephone in WEICKER'S office, stating the Senator's position. WERTHEIMER v.o. states WEICKER has promised to filibuster a PRO-PRAYER amendment on grounds of CHURCH/STATE SEPARATION. zoom on tablet on desk, showing tally count of pro/anti-PRAYER callers; ratio is 2:1 against SCHOOL PRAYER.] [20.01.42-WEICKER seated in office, speaking animatedly. WEICKER offers a "slippery slope" argument against "minute of silent meditation" provisions, states that if CONGRESS is given the power to regulate 90 seconds of RELIGIOUS BEHAVIOR, then it will have the power to regulate 365 days of the year. Make no mistake, if he were of any particular faith, WEICKER would want absolutely no Government involvement in religion. [20.02.05] WEICKER says that the argument is that "The HOUSE will never pass it, so the SENATE doesn't have to worry", argues in football terms that the time to play defense is on the other team's 10 yd. Line, not your own. If it clears the SENATE in an election year, any pressures can be brought to bear and anything can happen [20.02.45-mid-20's white man, wears tie, on Capitol Grounds] WERTHEIMER v.o. says PRAYER advocates agree that if they get past the SENATE they can win the HOUSE. [man identified as Greg BOILER, Rep. Of "Coalitions for America"] BOILER says that if the initiative clears SENATE, it can pass HOUSE. [pan along line of middle aged women, heads bowed, praying, BOILER v.o.] Says that if the SENATE passes the bill, Congressmen will have to go back to their districts and run for office "against school prayer, which is like running against motherhood."