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Proceedings and Debates of the 1967 Constitutional Convention
Volume 104, Volume 1, Debates 2171   View pdf image (33K)
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[Dec. 11] DEBATES 2171

race, color, religion or national origin, then
I believe that it would be understood.

At a time in history when hope is needed,
let us give hope, and at a time in an area
where clarity is needed, let us also give
clarity.

THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Boileau, do
you desire to offer your amendment Y?

DELEGATE BOILEAU: Yes, I do, Mr.
Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: The pages will dis-
tribute amendment Y. This will be Amend-
ment 3A to Amendment No. 3. The Clerk
will read the amendment.

READING CLERK: Amendment No. 3A
to Amendment No. 3, by Delegates Boileau,
Borom :

On page 1 of the amendment in line 6
strike out the word "religion" and insert in
lieu thereof the word "creed".

THE CHAIRMAN: The amendment hav-
ing been submitted by Delegate Boileau
and seconded by Delegate Borom, the Chair
recognizes Delegate Boileau to speak to the
amendment.

DELEGATE BOILEAU: Mr. Chairman,
fellow delegates, we are concerned here pri-
marily with one word, obviously, the word
"religion".

In Webster's dictionary, religion, each
and every one of the definitions concerns
itself with one or two things. These are
either emphasis on ritual, or an emphasis
on the belief in God.

There are large numbers of people in
our society who neither believe in God nor
belong to a ritualistic church. In using
the word "creed" we are also able to ex-
tend protections under this area to those
persons who have a general set of prin-
ciples or beliefs. The principle or belief is
not tied directly to belief in God or follow-
ing the specific tenets of a ritualistic
church.

With that, I will offer the amendment.
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Kiefer.

DELEGATE KIEFER: Mr. Chairman,
we hope that this is not the beginning of
letting in all of the various odds and ends,
and this is the opening of Pandora's box.
I had not expected to speak very strongly
against the amendment offered by Delegate
Mitchell, because I think we all agree as
to what her purpose is.

She spoke eloquently and I thought very
effectively in favor of equality of races and

lack of discrimination. I do not think any-
one has any question as to her sincerity
or her purpose nor do I believe any of us
want to do other than what she thinks and
says in this regard.

However, now we come to religion, and
then I expect old age, then I expect sex,
then I expect economic status and social
status and on we go.

Now, I believe we have covered fully,
effectively and completely the question of
religion and creed in section 2. I would
therefore strongly urge not only that you
eliminate the word "creed" but I would
make the amendment that we eliminate the
word "religion" from this.

Let us keep this discussion on the ques-
tion of color and racial discrimination. I
have no objection, no real objection if it
will psychologically help the people of that
minority race in their feelings to put in
here this lack of discrimination clause on
race, color or national origin.

I do object strenuously to adding any-
thing else. I therefore hope this amendment
will be defeated, the amendment to the
amendment.

THE CHAIRMAN: Any other delegate
desire to speak to Amendment SA? Or in
favor of Amendment 3A?

Delegate Mitchell, do you desire to speak?

DELEGATE MITCHELL: Mr. Chair-
man, I think I have already spoken to it in
my opening address.

THE CHAIRMAN: Are you ready for
the question?

Ring the quorum bell, please.

The question arises on the adoption of
Amendment No. 3A to Amendment No. 3.
A vote Aye is a vote for the Amendment
3A, a vote No is a vote against Amend-
ment 3A.

This does not affect the question of
Amendment No. 3 itself, just the adoption
of the Amendment 3A. A vote Aye is a
vote in favor; a vote No, a vote against.

Cast your vote.

Has every delegate voted? Does any dele-
gate desire to change his vote?

(There was no response.)
The Clerk will record the vote.

There being 31 votes in the affirmative,
94 in the negative, the motion is lost. The
amendment to the amendment is rejected.



 

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Proceedings and Debates of the 1967 Constitutional Convention
Volume 104, Volume 1, Debates 2171   View pdf image (33K)
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