Bill Murray's 1963 Case Ended Prayer in Schools; Today He Works to Restore It

Contact: Dane Rose, 202-546-8329, ext. 106, DaneRose@FaithAndAction.org; Rev. Rob Schenck, 703-447-7686 cell; both with the National Clergy Council

WASHINGTON, May 3 /Christian Newswire/ -- William "Bill" Murray, whose famous mother, Madelyn Murray O'Hare, used her son to legally end voluntary prayer in public schools in 1963, will return to the U.S. Supreme Court this afternoon to participate in a National Day of Prayer service on the High Court's front steps. Mr. Murray today heads the Religious Freedom Coalition and is the author of a new book, The Pledge: One Nation Under God (AMG Publishers).

Leading the National Day of Prayer event will be the Reverend Rob Schenck (pronounced SHANK), an Evangelical minister and president of the National Clergy Council. Other participants include the Reverend Patrick J. Mahoney, a Presbyterian minister and director of the Christian Defense Coalition and Father Jay Longacre, a Catholic Priest and president of St. Thomas Ministries Foundation.

Rev. Schenck said, "It's fitting for Mr. Murray to join us advocating for public prayer at precisely the spot where he once stood after his lawyers argued against it. Nobody knows this subject like Mr. Murray. He was used, abused and brainwashed into thinking prayer violated the Constitution. Now he uses his God-given genius to bring prayer back to schools and to all of American public life."

The group of clergy and lay people will offer prayers for the nation followed by a news conference.

News Conference Details ---

What: National Day of Prayer Observance in front of the U.S. Supreme Court

When: Thursday, May 3, 3:00 – 3:30 P.M.

Where: Sidewalk along front of West Steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, 1 First Street, NE, Washington, DC