Covenanter Witness Vol. 55 - Rparchives.org

Honorable Robert T.of South CarolinaAshmoreHonorable Eugene Silerof KentuckyHonorable James B.of CaliforniaUttThe three men whose pictures arebefore you are all outstanding Christiancongressmen. The first to tell me thathe would introduce the Bill was Congressman James D. Utt of California.Since others were also considering wedecided that maybe several could bepersuaded. A further reason for ourfeeling that more would helpwas the fact that seventeen had introour causeduced the resolution to place "underGod"in the "Pledge of Allegiance."Our thought, at first, was to get asmany as possible, and then have them allintroduce the Bill the same day. This,we found later, was not necessary. Theone who actually introduced the Billfirst was Congressman Eugene Siler ofKentucky who introduced it on Monday,May 21. He not only introduced the Billbut made the excellent statement whichyou have already read. CongressmanRobert T. Ashmore, of South Carolinawho took former Congressman JosephBryson's place, introduced next on Wednesday, May 25; and CongressmanJames B. Utt on Thursday, May 26.These bills are all in the Judiciary Committee and will be referred to some subcommittee. Since Mr. Ashmore is on theJudiciary Committee they will probablygo to the sub-committee of which he isa member.Two other Congressmen have shownme the Bill written upand preparedand will introduce at the first opportunity. Three others are still considering,and when I talked to them on June 16,they still had in mind to put the bill in,though the time is not as definite withthem.In the Senate we are still waiting. Wewill try to report from the SenateJuly 6, 1955later. We do have some excellent lettersfrom a number of Senators, and theseshould be followed up with continualcultivation.I have learned what peoplemeanwhen they talk about a strong Jewishblock in this country. It seems as if Imet Jewslike Jewsor at least people who lookedon almost everycorner inthe Senate and House Office Buildings,and they were usually by the threes andfours. Undoubtedly theyablyare lobbying.On the other hand, think how miserwe failed our Senators and Congressmen who introduced our bills forus. We got them to introduce our Bill,then we deserted them. Don't blame themwhen they failed to reintroduce our Bill.It was, and is, our own fault. We aremaking a start at rectifying this by preparing a "flyer" which will answer thethree main questions asked by the general public about this Christian amendment. This flyer we plan to place in thehands of these congressmen who introduced our Bill, and they can be sent outto any enquirer, along with a copy ofthe Bill. At the suggestion of SenatorRalph E. Flanders, who introduced ourBill in the last two congresses, this flyerwill be printed in the CongressionalRecord, and Mr. Flanders is putting itin the Record himself. You can secure acopy of this "Flyer" from any of theCongressmen who introduced the Bill, orfrom your own congressman. They willsecure one for you.It is a good plan to write to your owncongressman and ask him for a copy ofboth the "Bill" and the "Flyer." WhileI was in Congressman Ashmore's officeon June 16 a call came from anotheroffice asking for a copyof H. J. Res315,the Christian Amendment Resolution which he introduced May 25. Shortly a secretary came in, secured a copy,and took it back to mail out to someone in their territory who was askingfor it. None of the secretaries in Mr.Ashmore's office knew whose secretaryshe was, but the Bill was taken and sentto the enquirer. So write to your owncongressman,or senator and ask- forthese, but PLEASE WRITE THESEMEN WHO HAVE INTRODUCEDTHE BILL, and THANK THEM FORHAVING DONE IT. Address them:House Office Bldg., Wash. D. C.Something else you may have free, ifyou desire, is a copy of the "Hearing"that was held on May 17, '54. YourSenator will gladly send you one ofthose or write to JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, Senate Office Bldg., Wash.D. C. I was in the office of the JudiciaryCommittee and they said they had agood supply, and would gladly sendthem out, free.This trip to Washington has taught usa lot of things. It is my feeling that aperiodical visit should be made thereabout every two months. Someoneshould be appointed as contact man forthese men at Washington, and lettersshould be sent to them regularly, enquiring as to problems and the progressof the Bill. If any questions come tothese Congressmen which cannot beanswered by them, there should be someone to whom they could refer the question for answer. Letters and more letters should be going to every congressman and senator, urging his supportof the Christian Amendment Resolution.There should be a planned cultivationof Senators and Congressmen who will15