he House of Representatives narrowly rejected a resolution yesterday which called upon Americans to observe a national day of prayer, fasting and "humiliation" in response to violence. Proposed by Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R-ID), it won 275 votes against 140 with 11 abstentions; this was short of the two-thirds majority, though, required for passage.

   The nonbinding congressional resolution, H. Con. Res. 94, is the latest in a series of religion-oriented measures coming from capitol hill. Two weeks ago, Representatives passed other amendments calling upon the states to display the Ten Commandments in schools and other public property, set limits on compensation of attorney fees in First Amendment litigation cases, and made it easier for faith-based groups to apply for social service grants. Supporters of the measures linked the legislation to school violence in places like Littleton, Colorado or Paduca, Kentucky, and with what they argue is a general decline in the nation's morals.

   The Chenoweth proposal was introduced on May 4 of this year and slotted into the House Government Reform Committee, Subcommittee on Civil Service. No pending action on the resolution was listed by the Subcommittee. Chenoweth even took off to get married for the second time. But the measure was suddenly fast-tracked and considered under "special rules" designed to speed passage of legislative items; unlike most bills, though, it would then require a 2/3 vote. Despite the recent hysteria in the House over violence, prayer and other culture war issues, the resolution was just two votes shy of mark.

   Ms. Chenoweth vowed, "This won't be the end of it," and observed that "A strong majority of the House of Representatives supported this measure, and that's good news."

   "Our nation is sick and hurting and now is the time when all Americans of faith must come together and pray for healing and a spiritual renewal," she told the House yesterday. "If there ever is a time when we need almighty God, it is now."

   The resolution claimed that "it is incumbent on all public bodies, as well as private persons, to revere and rely on God Almighty for our day-to-day existence, as well as to follow the charge to love and serve one another." It called upon the House and all Americans to "recognize the unique opportunity that the dawn of a millennium presents to a people in a Nation under God to humble and reconcile themselves with God and one another." It urged "all Americans to unite in seeking the face of God through humble prayer and fasting, persistently asking God to send spiritual strength and a renewed sense of humility to the Nation..." Finally, it "recommends that the leaders in national, State and local governments, in business, and in the clergy appoint, and call the people they serve to observe, a day of solemn prayer, fasting and humiliation before God."

   Chenoweth's proposal for prayer, starvation and self-abnegation received immediate news coverage, with the Washington Post noting that Congress had "waded once again into volatile issues of religion and politics."

The Chenoweth resolution calls for government to urge "that the leaders in national, State and local governments, in business, and in the clergy appoint, and call the for the people they serve to observe, a day of solemn prayer, fasting and humiliation before God."

But neither the Post nor other source, including the New York Times, Reuters, or even Associated Press were capable of bring themselves to include the resolution's call for "humiliation" in their headlines. The Post mentioned that the thrust of the Chenoweth bill was to encourage observance of "a day of solemn prayer, fasting and humiliation before God." Reuters included the same quote, but headlined the story "U.S. House defeats call for a day of prayer." The New York Times was low key, noting that the resolution called upon citizens "to observe a national day of prayer and fasting in response to recent violence."

   In the House, opponents of the resolution included Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Texas) who declared that the proposal was unconstitutional. While he defended the notion that faith and prayer could benefit the country, "in reflecting upon the debates in this House of recent days, I would suggest that we members of Congress should spend more time praying and less time telling others hot to pray." Scattered applause greeted his caution, "Perhaps it is time for us in Congress to preach a little less and practice a little more."

   New York Representative Jerrold Nadler rose and noted that in commemorating the new millennium, the resolution had obvious Christian connotations which establish a calendar based on the presumed birthday of Jesus Christ.

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