LAWMAKERS, May 17, 1984
LAWMAKERS, May 17, 1984
20.08.49-DUKE in studio. REPORT on SCHOOL PRAYER. HOUSE took up legislation on voluntary PRAYER GROUP meetings in school buildings. 20.09.11-Shot of exterior of a HIGH SCHOOL. Shot of BAND ROOM, 25 students in band practice, shots of BRASS and STRING sections. DUKE v.o. identifies as suburban Baltimore, Catonsville, MD, site of controversy over a BIBLE STUDY group. 20.09.32-Shot of High School girl, reading verses from BIBLE. Shot of group of Students in a classroom. DUKE v.o. gives history of BIBLE STUDY group at school, grounds of controversy. Shot of boy student, says CONSTITUTION trumps SCHOOL BOARD decision, and guarantees "freedom of religion, not freedom from religion". Shot of girl student in hallway, says Founding Fathers would be appalled that prayer isn't allowed in school. Shot of second girl student, compares BIBLE STUDY to other school clubs that are allowed. 20.10.14-Shot of teacher at front of classroom, shot of students in hallway. TITLES show text of ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION clause in the FIRST AMENDMENT. Stills of NEWSPAPER articles on subject. Shot of CATONSVILLE school principal-argues BIBLE STUDY is not the same as other school clubs. Shot of CONGRESSIONAL PAGE delivering DRAFT BILL to a CONGRESSMAN'S office. 20.11.03-Shot of Rep. Don BONKER ??? (R-WA), argues that gov't shouldn't be hostile to voluntary prayer meetings. Shot of Rep. DON EDWARDS (D-CA), argues that children are impressionable, half of CALIFORNIA high schoolers have been solicited by CULTS, and the bill would allow any cult to enter schools and recruit. Shot of HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA. Shot of group of adult men in suits. DUKE v.o. says most mainline CHRISTIAN groups, including CATHOLIC CHURCH, in favor of the bill to allow prayer group meetings. DUKE discusses parliamentary restrictions on bill. 20.12.21-Shot of Rep. GARY ACKERMAN (D-NY) arguing against bill. Shot of Rep. CHARLES SHUMER (D-NY) says RELIGION should not become "fourth 'R'" in schools. Shot of Reps. BONKER and ROD CHANDLER (R-WA), argue the bill is moderate and Constitutional. Shot of HOUSE CLERK reading count of vote. DUKE summarizes results of vote, fail to get two thirds majority. Shot of Rep. BONKER in office, says that eventually the COURT will rule on the issue. 20.13.44-DUKE with series of brief reports. SENATE approves slate of BUDGET CUTS. SENATE COMMITTEE turns down an appointee for US INFORMATION OFFICE. Shot of Sen. CHARLES PERCY outside of CAPITOL building. PERCY discusses the nominee's evasiveness in hearings. OLYMPIC torch reached CAPITOL HILL, shot of Rep. MEL LEVINE in running clothes carrying torch. Rep. LEVINE standing with CAPITOL in background, discusses importance of OLYMPICS to SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. VISIT to CAPITOL by MIGUEL DE LA MADRID, President of MEXICO, warned CONGRESS against U.S. involvement in CENTRAL AMERICA. Shot of de la MADRID speaking in SPANISH, members of CONGRESS looking on.