Satterthwaite looks back on campaign
The Champaign County Board, traditionally
controlled by the Republican Party, will be controlled by the Democratic
Party during the next term, as determined by the Nov. 7 election.
The meetings have started with a prayer for as long as current members
can remember, and with the new leadership, some members wonder if
the future meetings will include a prayer.
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that "Congress
shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof."
County Board Chairman Stephen Moser expressed concern that he didn't
know what the Democrats were going to do with it now that they have
taken the majority of the board in what County Board member Tom Betz
said is the first time since 1833.
"I think it's silly to hold a prayer in a public meeting," Betz said,
but "I can't even get involved in it." Betz said there are many other
issues he feels need to be pushed through with a Democratic majority.
The Champaign County Board opens its meetings with a prayer after
the roll call and before the Pledge of Allegiance. The prayer is generally
a Christian prayer that asks for direction and encouragement, said
County Board member Patty Busboom.
"I don't think it should be a Christian prayer necessarily," said
County Auditor Gerrie Parr. She mentioned that the prayer always asks
for God to help the board members make the right decision.
Parr, the chair of the county Democratic Party, also noted that while
a prayer used to be a part of committee meetings, that is no longer
the practice.
Moser said there are four or five people who are good at saying the
prayer, and they rotate who will say it.
"It's been there as long as I can remember — 20 or 30 years," said
Moser.
Board member-elect Paul Faraci said that if the members wanted to
pray before the meeting, they should be able to.
"I wouldn't tell someone they couldn't," Faraci said.
The current Supreme Court ruling backs the right of government meetings
to contain prayer.
The House of Representatives and the Senate have paid chaplains who
open daily sessions with a prayer, a tradition for more than 200 years.
Because the chaplains had been used since the time of the framers,
the Supreme Court decided that the intent of that part of the Constitution
was not to prevent religious activities.
When the framers of the Constitution were having a difficult time
writing it, Ben Franklin led the assembly in a prayer for guidance,
said Ira Carmen, a University political science professor.
"This is the Supreme Court's bow to history," Carmen said.
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Related Links
Satterthwaite - State Representative
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