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WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 -- U.S. Rep. Henry Brown, long a friend of the religious right in South Carolina, has authored legislation that encourages more involvement of religion in public schools.

According to the Oct. 12 issue of The Post and Courier, Brown "has penned legislation that would give a congressional pat on the back to public schools that display the words 'God Bless America.'"

Why? Because he's mad with the American Civil Liberties Union. A California branch of the group wants a local school to remove the three-word slogan from a marquee because it believes the message "implies only students who share the faith are truly patriotic," according to a spokesman mentioned in the newspaper.

"Pride in America is at a level I haven't seen in my lifetime," said Brown, R-S.C. "I feel like the ACLU is trying to dampen the spirit in America. I'm looking at a new quarter and it has 'In God We Trust,' " he told the paper, adding the nation "needs God's blessing more today than at any time in recent history."

Brown critic Andy Brack said he understood Brown's patriotic concern, but questioned the means he would use to justify his concerns.

"Is this a front-burner issue that really calls for more legislation? The ACLU has a right to criticize and he seems opposed to its right to free speech. I thought Henry Brown and his kind wanted less government intervention. Obviously they don't - - they only want less intervention when it's politically convenient.

"We've got all kinds of challenges in this country and for a right-wing South Carolina congressman to be putting those behind what's on a school marquee in California shows his misplaced priorities. Build the country. Don't keep tearing down and pushing your narrow viewpoint."

IN OTHER NEWS, Brown has picked up a Republican challenger for the 2002 elections. Bob Batchelder, a grocery manager from Horry County who ran as a Reform Party candidate against Brown in 2000, now says he'll run as a Republican for the seat in 2002.

Among the reasons he's challenging Brown:

Campaign Finance Reform. "Contrary to my opponent, I will support the Shays ­Meehan Finance Reform bill presently in Congress. Until we limit the amount of money being pumped into campaigns the people will never have a voice. It is getting to the point where only the very wealthy can begin to think about running for office."

Trade Agreements. “I favor the renegotiation of international trade agreements to make them fair. I also believe we should not grant China Permanent Normal Trade Relations at this time but revert back to a yearly review. Too many of our agreements favor multinational corporations to the detriment of our manufacturing and textile industries here at home. These positions are what set Henry Brown and I apart.”

Junkets and integrity. “I am displeased that our present Congressman has seen fit to tour the world at the taxpayers expense. Years ago these were called ‘junkets’. Today we hear they are now ‘getting to know you seminars.’ Absolutely ridiculous. I want the people of the 1st district to know that I will be frugal, upfront, and not afraid to state my positions on the issues.”

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"My amendment didn't name the Savannah River Site, but I hope the study will explore the possibility of using it for nuclear power plants."

-- Henry Brown, Aug. 24, 2001

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