please write bosma and urge him to fight the aclu

Indiana General Assembly House of Representatives
NEWS STATEMENT
Indiana House Republican Caucus
Room 401-6, Statehouse
Indianapolis, IN 46204 Contact: Tony Samuel
(317) 232-9887 or 1-800-382-9841
e-mail: tsamuel@iga.state.in.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Note: Today Judge David S. Hamilton of U.S. Federal Court (Southern District of Indiana) ruled that the name of Jesus Christ cannot be spoken during prayers opening sessions of the Indiana House of Representatives. The lawsuit was brought by the Indiana Civil Liberties Union (ICLU) naming Speaker of the House Brian C. Bosma as the defendant.

Statement from Speaker Brian C. Bosma

"I am shocked and dismayed by the Court's decision today. I find the Court's unprecedented decision disturbing in that it directs me, as Speaker, to advise people that they are prohibited from using "Christ's name or title or any other denominational appeal" when offering the invocation in the Indiana House of Representatives. It is intolerable that a court in this free society would ask a person to censure the prayer they offer in the tradition of their faith. The prayers that have been offered in the Indiana House of Representatives have represented many faiths of both our members and our citizens. The prayers that have been offered have not attempted to proselytize, advance or disparage any faith or belief. In my years of service in the Indiana General Assembly, I have always appreciated the diversity and sincerity with which the invited clerics and members have led us in the invocation. The ruling today forbids invited ministers and members to continue to exercise their right to free speech and pray in the tradition of their faith."


For more information or to schedule a time to discuss the matter with Speaker Bosma, please contact Tony Samuel at tsamuel@iga.state.in.us or (317) 232-9887.