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May 2003
Mark Warner Administration: Warner Supports VMI Prayer Policy
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"Gov. Mark R. Warner (D) firmly supports Attorney General Jerry W. Kilgore's request that the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit review a three-judge panel's ruling that Virginia Military Institute's supper prayers are unconstitutional.

'VMI's prayer or blessing is nonsectarian, and participation is optional. My understanding is that many of the cadets are not even in the mess hall when the prayer is offered, and this blessing is similar to what is offered at other academies,' Warner said yesterday.

On Monday, Kilgore (R) asked the full appeals court to consider reversing last month's unanimous ruling by the three judges that mandatory supper prayers at state-supported VMI violate the Constitution's bn on the establishment of religion by government.

He argues in his petition to the court that the prayers no more violate the First Amendment than do the brief invocations that begin each session of the appeals court and the U.S. Supreme Court." (Metro In Brief, The Washington Post, May 16, 2003)

"Warner praises tradition at VMI

Gov. Mark R. Warner bowed his head in prayer with Virginia Military Institute graduates Friday, saying afterward that he hoped a federal appeals court reconsiders a ruling that it is unconstitutional for cadets to pray together before dinner.

'Let the record show that I understand and I support the unique traditions of this institution - including the saying of grace before meals,' Warner said to whoops and cheers from 239 graduates and their families at VMI's commencement.

Since the 1950s, the state-supported military school has held supper prayers in its mess hall. Before the meal was served, a member of the cadet corps read a non-denominational prayer that began with either 'almighty God,' '0 God,' 'father God,' 'heavenly father,' or 'sovereign God.'

The tradition ended last year after the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against VMI on behalf of two cadets who complained they were pressured into participating in religious activity.

'We're pleased that [Warner] decided to go ahead and support
this,' said acting Superintendent Robert Green, who handed graduates Bibles with their diplomas.

VMI graduate William Johnson, 22, of Suffolk, also applauded Warner.
The prayer 'really brought us together before dinner,' Johnson said. 'It's ridiculous that we'd have all these problems after only two people opposed it.'

The two cadets who filed the lawsuit graduated last year.

On Thursday, Warner joined Attorney General Jerry W. Kilgore in opposition to the decision by a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, which has prompted other schools, such as The Citadel in South Carolina, to reconsider their prayer ceremonies.
Kilgore has asked for a ruling by the full appeals court, arguing that the emphasis on prayer is no different at VMI than it is in federal court.
'For example, in this court - as in the Supreme Court - each session begins with a brief invocation. No one is required to close his eyes or bow her head,' Kilgore wrote to the court on Monday. 'If hearing - or standing - is the same as participating, it is difficult to explain how these invocations could be constitutional.'

At VMI's graduation ceremony, a crowd of about 5,500 prayed as Col. James S. Park gave the invocation.

'In this commencement ceremony, 0 God, culminate each cadetship with the sure and certain truth that you are faithful, that you are able, and that you alone are God,' Park said.

Warner congratulated the 82 graduates who chose to go into the military. He ordered everyone to call home often and to commit themselves to public service.

'Tomorrow you must continue to guard the post, by continuing to pursue a life of learning, by staying engaged in the important discussions of the day, by engaging in the activities of your community, and by living a life that fulfills the vision set forth by this great institution,' Warner said." (Associated Press, Daily Progress, May 17, 2002)


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