ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 29

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 13, 1996

      The Assembly Education Committee favorably reports Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 29.

      This resolution expresses the opposition of the Legislature to the decision of the United States Supreme Court in Lee v. Weisman, 505 U.S. 577 (1992) in which the court held that school-sponsored prayers conducted by members of the clergy at graduation ceremonies violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

      The resolution urges the public schools in the State of New Jersey to find legal ways to continue to include prayer at graduation exercises.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 1996 legislative session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.