Coalition Statement

The Coalition Against Religious Discrimination

Contact Information:
Tony Hileman, Executive Director

May 22, 2002

Dear Senator:

OPPOSE THE HOUSE NATIONAL SERVICE REAUTHORIZATION BILL BECAUSE IT REPEALS CRITICAL CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS

We, the undersigned religious, civil rights, labor, education, health and advocacy organizations are writing to urge you to oppose the National Service Reauthorization bill as introduced in the House because it would repeal longstanding civil rights laws designed to protect people from employment discrimination in National Service programs.

Since its inception in 1990, the National Service law has included important civil rights protections against employment discrimination based on religion in programs that receive Federal National Service assistance. The National Service law also contains language upholding religious liberty Constitutional safeguards in government-funded programs.

The National Service civil rights standard was signed into law by President George H. W. Bush. These provisions have worked well since the inception of National Service, allowing religious organizations to participate in programs while maintaining Constitutional and civil rights standards.

However, the House National Service Reauthorization bill repeals these civil rights and civil liberties provisions in the statute. Repeal of these laws has no policy justification - these civil rights laws have worked. We strongly urge Congress not to undo these successful provisions.

Sincerely,
American Humanist Association
Americans for Religious Liberty
Coalition for the Community of Reason

Coalition Statements