President Reagan pushes prayer in public schools

By Compiled From Wire Service Dispatches With Analysis From Monitor Correspondents Around The World; Edited By Anne Shutt

September 20, 1982

Washington

In his weekly radio broadcast to the nation, President Reagan urged House Democratic leaders to act quickly on his controversial proposal permitting prayer in public schools.

Reagan's proposal, sponsored by Sen. Jesse Helms (R) of North Carolina, states that no person shall be required to participate in prayer who does not want to. The President said Senate Republican leader Howard Baker assured him of Senate action on the proposal, but no such assurance has come from the House.