71st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2001 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
 LC 3760
 
                           A-Engrossed
 
                     Senate Joint Memorial 6
                 Ordered by the Senate April 27
           Including Senate Amendments dated April 27
 
Sponsored by Senator SHIELDS
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure.
 
  Urges President of United States and Congress of United States
 { - to create system for charitable organizations, including
faith-based organizations, to apply for federal funding to
administer community social services - }  { + , when considering
expansion of Charitable Choice program, to ensure that taxpayer
money does not fund proselytizing, jobs funded by taxpayer money
are not subject to religious discrimination, secular social
service alternatives are available, the existing safety net of
social services is not undermined and individuals are not
required to participate in religious activities or reveal
religious preferences in order to receive services + }.
 
                         JOINT MEMORIAL
To the President of the United States and the Senate and House of
  Representatives of the United States, in Congress assembled:
  We, your memorialists, the Seventy-first Legislative Assembly
of the State of Oregon, in legislative session assembled,
respectfully represent as follows:
  Whereas there are many people in need of social services; and
  Whereas the need is too great and governmental resources are
too limited; and
  Whereas many charitable organizations, including faith-based
organizations, are committed to providing social services to the
needy; and
  Whereas to successfully implement the partnership between the
states, the federal government and the faith community that is
the foundation of the Charitable Choice program, it is important
that the federal government work cooperatively with state
legislatures to implement the program; and
  Whereas many charitable organizations with the proper
resources, including faith-based organizations, can effectively
provide social services to the needy; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of
  Oregon:
  (1) The President of the United States and the Congress of the
United States are respectfully urged, when considering the
expansion of the Charitable Choice program through the White
 
House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, to ensure
that:
  (a) There is adequate assurance that government-funded services
and core religious activities are separated in such a way that
taxpayer money does not fund proselytizing activities;
  (b) Jobs funded by taxpayer money are not subject to religious
discrimination in hiring and firing;
  (c) Secular alternatives to social services provided by
faith-based organizations are readily available and accessible;
  (d) The existing safety net of social services for our most
vulnerable citizens is not undermined by diverting resources from
established programs; and
  (e) Individuals receiving social services from a faith-based
organization are not required to participate in religious
activities or reveal religious preferences in order to receive
services.
  (2) A copy of this memorial shall be sent to the President of
the United States and to each member of the Oregon Congressional
Delegation.
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