House Concurrent Resolution 18

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO CALL A CONVENTION FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES RELATING TO PRAYER IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND URGING AND REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE BODIES OF THE SEVERAL STATES TO APPLY TO THE CONGRESS TO CALL SUCH A CONVENTION.

WHEREAS, the United States Constitution provides that, on the application of the legislatures of two-thirds (2/3) of the several states, the Congress shall call a convention for the purpose of proposing an amendment or amendments to the United States Constitution, which amendment or amendments when so proposed by such a convention must be ratified by the legislatures of, or conventions in, three-fourths (3/4) of the states to become valid:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That the Congress of the United States is hereby requested to call a convention pursuant to Article V of the United States Constitution for the sole purpose of proposing an amendment to the United States Constitution, which amendment shall be substantially as follows:

"ARTICLE ____

SECTION 1. This article may be cited as the School Prayer Amendment.

SECTION 2. To secure the people's right to acknowledge God according to the dictates of conscience: The people's right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, or traditions on public property, including schools, shall not be infringed. The Government shall not require any person to join in prayer or other religious activity, initiate or designate school prayers, discriminate against religion, or deny equal access to a benefit on account of religion. Public prayer in the United States is a constitutionally protected right and shall not be deprived of any individual regardless of location or time, whether organized or voluntary. Neither this Constitution, nor the constitution of any state, shall be construed to require that vocalized prayer or the silent meditation thereof be abridged to any student in class or any organized school function or athletic event."

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Congress of the United States is hereby requested to provide as the mode of ratification that said amendment shall be valid to all intents and purposes and become a part of the Constitution of the United States when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths (3/4) of the several states.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Legislature of the State of Mississippi does hereby urge and request the legislative bodies of the several states to apply to the Congress of the United States to call a convention for the sole purpose of proposing this amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution shall be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate and to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; to each member of the delegation of the State of Mississippi in the Congress of the United States; and to the presiding officers of each house of the legislative bodies of the several states of the Union.