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PRESS RELEASE FROM AMERICANS FOR TAX REFORM
Contact: John Kartch ( jkartch@atr.org or 202-785-0266)

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1/30/01

Georgia Legislators Defend Ashcroft
Sign resolution calling on Congress to repudiate "unconstitutional religious test"

WASHINGTON-Fifty-two members of the Georgia state legislature signed a resolution today calling for the members of the Georgia congressional delegation to "repudiate the unconstitutional religious test applied to John Ashcroft in confirmation hearings before the United States Senate."

The resolution went on to say "some members of Congress have attempted to establish a religious test, explaining that, because of his religion, John Ashcroft would be unable to serve as an enforcer of our laws."

Article VI of the U.S. Constitution states "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office of public trust under the United States."

Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, made the following statement:

"These members of the Georgia legislature have joined a growing chorus of state legislatures determined to remind their representatives in Washington they have constituents and must face the consequences of their actions back home.

"The test applied to Senator Ashcroft in his confirmation hearings amounts to religious profiling and was clearly unconstitutional.  I would hope that Joe Lieberman would play an active role in reigning in those senators attempting to require John Ashcroft to pass a religious test to become U.S. Attorney General."

ATR will be encouraging state legislators to pass similar resolutions regarding other aspects of President Bush's agenda throughout the 107^th Congress.

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Americans for Tax Reform is a non-partisan coalition of taxpayers and taxpayer groups who oppose any and all federal and state tax increases.  For more information, or to arrange an interview with Mr. Norquist please contact John Kartch at (202)785-0266 or by email at jkartch@atr.org.