Action Alert
Oppose Religious Discrimination in Head Start BACKGROUND
Recently passed unanimously out of committee, H.R. 2123 is a bipartisan bill
with provisions to protect, expand, and improve the Head Start program which
benefits children across the nation. It currently maintains civil rights
protections signed into Head Start legislation more than twenty years ago.
The Boehner Amendment however is an underhanded attempt to further the Bush
administration's faith-based agenda by funneling public funds to religious
organizations. It would allow discrimination on the basis of religion in
employment.
If passed, the measure would erode decades old civil-rights protections in Head
Start programs. While the AHA supports Head Start, we cannot endorse this bill
if the Boehner Amendment passes, because it would legally sanction
discrimination.
The Boehner Amendment jeopardizes the civil rights protections of Humanists and
other Americans. It would specifically allow taxpayer funded faith-based
organizations to hire and fire teachers on the basis of religious beliefs,
could even be used to prevent people with different beliefs from volunteering,
and prevent underprivileged children from receiving a valuable education at an
important age.
ACTION
We ask you to contact your Representatives and urge them to oppose the Boehner
Amendment to the School Readiness Act that would roll back these critical civil
rights protections. If such an amendment is added to the bill, urge your
Representative to oppose final passage of the bill.
You can reach your Representative by calling the Capitol Switchboard toll-free
at 202-224-3121 and ask to speak with her/his office. The House website
www.house.gov also lists the direct office lines and e-mail addresses for every
Representative. It is important that Humanist voices be heard at this critical
juncture.
The School Readiness Act is expected to be taken up in the House soon!
Spread the word: forward this to a friend!
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