Bill Would Allow School Prayers

An Alabama lawmaker is seeking to let public school teachers begin each day by reading opening prayers that were given in Congress. The House Education Policy held a public hearing Wednesday on the legislation. The bill would set aside 15 minutes at the start of each school day to study the procedures of Congress, and give a verbatim reading of a congressional opening prayer. Bill sponsor, Rep. Steve Hurst, says teachers could choose a prayer that related to the day's lesson. He says teachers might choose a prayer that was said on a particular day in history. Opponents say the proposal is unconstitutional. Susan Watson, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama, says the proposal is teacher-led prayer being dressed up as a civics lesson.