2001-2002 Bill 3390: the Honorable John Ashcroft; General Assembly Support in Confirmation

BIL: 3390

TYP: Concurrent Resolution CR

INB: House

IND: 20010131

PSP: Loftis

SPO: Loftis, Davenport and Leach

DDN: l:\council\bills\skb\18154sd01.doc

RBY: House

COM: Invitations and Memorial Resolutions Committee 24 HIMR

SUB: The Honorable John Ashcroft; General Assembly support in confirmation as U.S. Attorney General, Resolutions

HST:

Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved

______

House 20010131 Introduced, referred to Committee 24 HIMR

Versions of This Bill

TXT:

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE BELIEF OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT NO UNCONSTITUTIONAL RELIGIOUS TESTS SHOULD BE APPLIED TO JOHN ASHCROFT IN CONFIRMATION HEARINGS BEFORE THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

Whereas, John Ashcroft was selected by the President of the United States to serve as United States Attorney General; and

Whereas, John Ashcroft served with distinction and integrity as Missouri Attorney General, Governor, and United States Senator; and

Whereas, his outstanding performance as state attorney general earned him the position as head of the National Association of Attorneys General; and

Whereas, as a United States Senator, John Ashcroft earned the trust and admiration of his colleagues from both parties; and

Whereas, the integrity, experience, and qualifications of John Ashcroft are unquestioned; and

Whereas, John Ashcroft has been attacked for his religious beliefs in hearings before the Untied States Senate; and

Whereas, some members of Congress have attempted to establish a religious test, explaining that because of his religion, John Ashcroft would be unable to serve as an enforcer of our laws; and

Whereas, Article VI of the United States Constitution states that “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office of public trust under the United States”. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly hereby express their belief that no unconstitutional religious tests should be applied to John Ashcroft in confirmation hearings before the United States Senate.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the United States Senate and each member of the Senate from South Carolina.

[3390] 1