Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005
From: Anti-Defamation League adl@adl.org
Protect Our Kids and Teachers from Religious Discrimination!
UPDATE
After the Labor Day weekend when members of the House of
Representatives return to Washington from their summer recess, they
will vote on reauthorizing the historic Head Start pre-school program.
At that time Representative John Boehner (R-OH) is planning to propose
an amendment that would change current law to permit religious
discrimination
in America's most successful federally-funded education initiative in
history.
If Congress adopts Representative Boehner's amendment:
* Teachers and staff working at Head Start programs housed in
religious organizations could immediately be fired because of
their faith.
* Children would lose beloved teachers and parent volunteers,
with whom they have established trusting, emotional bonds.
* A dangerous precedent would be set. An individual's
religion, not merit or professional qualifications, would
be the most important factor for these Tax-payer funded jobs.
The Congressional recess is an important time to remind lawmakers
about our concerns. Those who support this kind of religious
discrimination are working hard this summer to get their agenda
enacted into law when Congress returns. It is up to us to preserve the
religious and personal freedoms that we often take for granted.
Help us reach our goal of 25,000 e-mails to Congress and defeat this attack on our religious freedom!
Tell Your Representatives to Vote Against
Religious Discrimination in the Head Start Program!
https://secure2.convio.net/adl/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=105