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Senate committee commends multi-state prayer event despite separation‑of‑church‑state objections
Summary
The committee approved SJR558, a resolution commending GAP 26 (Great American Prayer) and its March 1–4 revival events; one senator objected on separation‑of‑church‑and‑state grounds and cited the presenter’s past remarks about Hurricane Katrina.
Leader Johnson introduced SJR558, a Senate joint resolution commending GAP 26 — a newly formed Great American Prayer organization organizing a March 1–4 series of multi‑state prayer meetings — saying the resolution "salutes their efforts to... pray for our great country." The chair moved the resolution and the committee debated it briefly before voting to move it to the calendar.
Senator Kyle objected, arguing that government should not promote religion and raising concerns about comments attributed to the group's organizer, saying, "I think government ought to be people can go to their own church, choose their own faith," and that such religious promotion belongs in houses of worship rather than in government resolutions. Leader Johnson responded that the measure simply commends people gathering to pray and that the resolution's language is narrowly framed to "salute people who wish to come together and pray for our country." The committee approved SJR558 on an oral/roll call tally recorded by the clerk: 7 ayes, 1 no.
Why this matters: The vote highlights recurring tension in state legislatures over ceremonial or commemorative resolutions that involve faith organizations. While such resolutions are often nonbinding and symbolic, they can prompt debate about the proper boundary between government action and religious expression. The committee’s action moves SJR558 forward to the next step on the calendar.
What’s next: The resolution was moved to the calendar for further consideration.
