[Congressional Bills 103th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S.J. Res. 16 Introduced in Senate (IS)] 103d CONGRESS 1st Session S. J. RES. 16 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States restoring the right of Americans to pray in public institutions, including public school graduation ceremonies and athletic events. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 21 (legislative day, January 5), 1993 Mr. Helms introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary _______________________________________________________________________ JOINT RESOLUTION Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States restoring the right of Americans to pray in public institutions, including public school graduation ceremonies and athletic events. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is hereby proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution if ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress: ``Article-- ``Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to prohibit voluntary individual or group prayer in public schools or other public institutions, or to prohibit prayer at public school baccalaureate services, athletic events, or other extracurricular activities. No person shall be required by the United States or by any State to participate in prayer or to be present during any prayer. Neither the United States nor any State shall compose the words of any prayer to be said in public schools or other public institutions, or at events sponsored by public schools or other public institutions.''. <all>