PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Michelle Blackley
Phone: (716) 636-4869 x 218
E-mail: press@centerforinquiry.net
U.S. House Rejects Religious Discrimination in Head Start Programs
May 03, 2007
Contact: Toni Van Pelt
Phone: (202) 546-2330
Cell: (727) 278-8446
E-mail:
tvanpelt@cfidc.org
Washington, D.C.--The U.S. House of Representatives has reauthorized the Head Start program and rejected attempts to undermine the U.S. Constitution by voting down an amendment that would allow federal dollars be used in the program to hire and fire teachers and low income parents based solely religious affiliation.
“We applaud the leadership of the members of the House in their vote to disallow the erosion of the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution. One of the core principles embodied in the Establishment Clause is that the government cannot financially support religious indoctrination. The attempt to use a long-time successful program that helps young children literally receive a head start in life has justly been defeated,” said Paul Kurtz, chairman. “The Center for Inquiry calls upon the U.S. Senate to follow suit by voting for Head Start reauthorization free of religious prejudice and to send this bill to the president for signature at its earliest opportunity.
The Center for Inquiry (CFI) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit educational organization with grassroots communities. Its publications enjoy a readership audience of more than 100,000 and the online radio show and podcast experience 50,000 weekly downloads, as well as distribution on a number of campus and community radio stations nationwide.
Headquartered in Amherst, New York, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Tampa, and its Office of Public Policy in Washington, D.C., CFI engages in a variety of activities designed to support institutions, principles, and values that are consistent with our constitutional rights and liberties. In particular, CFI vigorously defends the separation of church and state, which is a principle that not only respects freedom of conscience, but has served the interests of both the religious and nonreligious throughout our history.
