Free Market's Legal Division Defends Prayer in School Board Meetings
On Monday, Free Market Foundation's legal division filed the main brief before the 5th Circuit Federal en banc court (a unique situation where all 15 judges of the Federal Court of Appeals sit to hear a case). The ACLU originally brought the case, referred to as the Tangipahoa Parish School Board case, as a challenge against opening prayers at public school board meetings. Free Market has joined our friends at the Alliance Defense Fund in defending the right of the School Board to seek divine guidance by offering a prayer. The District Court ruled no prayers are allowed at School Board meetings. Upon appeal, a 3-judge Court of Appeals panel changed the decision to only disallow prayer in which the name of Jesus is used. This new hearing en banc throws out these former decisions and cleans the slate. We will keep you posted as this pivotal case continues.
"Homosexuality is Immoral," Says Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
According to General Peter Pace, the highest ranking official in the Joint Chiefs of Staff, homosexuality is immoral. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Pace compared homosexual relations to acts of adultery and other impure heterosexual relations. When asked whether the U.S. military should allow those outwardly practicing homosexuality to serve, General Pace said the U.S. should not do so. "I do not believe the United States is well-served by a policy that says it is ok to be immoral in any way," said Pace. General Pace's remarks come at a controversial time, now that the Legislature is considering anti-discrimination law and hate crimes law that would advance a pro-homosexuality agenda.
Texas House Overwhelmingly Votes to Reverse HPV Mandate
In an overwhelming vote of 119 to 21, with one abstention, the Texas House voted to pass
H.B. 1098 yesterday. This closely watched bill overturns Governor Perry's Executive Order requiring that girls entering the sixth grade be injected with the Gardasil vaccine. Thank you for calling your Representative in support of this measure! The bill must now proceed to the Senate in order to be passed. CLICK HERE and scroll to the bottom of PAGE 851 where it says CSHB 1098 to find out if your Representative voted Yea or Nay on the bill.
Texas Senate Finance Committee Considers Life-Saving Research
Next Monday, the Senate Finance Committee will consider three riders (additions) to the Senate Appropriations Bill that will help fund life-saving research. These three riders would appropriate funds for research and collection of umbilical cord blood. Research has shown that umbilical cord blood is one of the richest sources of stem cells available, and has saved more than 20,000 American lives touched by leukemia, sickle cell anemia and other illnesses to date. Unlike embryonic stem cell research, the stem cells found in umbilical cord blood do not destroy human embryos. Free Market has been advocating for legislative measures that would spread awareness, encourage research, and inform pregnant women of the great benefits to society that donating umbilical cord blood provides.
ACTION: Please CLICK HERE to contact your State Senator and ask them to support appropriating funds for research and collection of umbilical cord blood.
