Foes of school prayers rap new move in House

Opponents of legislation to return state-sponsored prayers to the public schools told Congress Tuesday the measure was an ill-advised government intrusion in the "most sacred" of parental responsibilities. The comments came in the opening session of two days of hearings before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Civil Liberties, and the Administration of Justice. The hearings, chaired by Rep. Robert Kastenmeier (D) of Wisconsin, are examining a controversial proposal that would remove Supreme Court jurisdiction over the issue of school prayer.