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Apil 14, 2003
Union of
Orthodox Jewish Congregations
Applauds Senate
Introduction of Workplace
Religous Freedom Bill;
Hopes for Senate Action
Soon
Today, the Union of Orthodox Jewish
Congregations of America – the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella
organization representing nearly 1,000 congregations nationwide --
applauded Friday’s introduction of the Workplace Religious Freedom Act (“WRFA”),
by Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA) and John Kerry (D-MA), long with ten of
their colleagues, in the U.S. Senate. The legislation will amend federal
civil rights laws to reinstate protections for religious employees in
their workplaces that have been undermined by adverse court rulings.
WRFA will require employers to accommodate the religious observances of
their employees as long as providing such accommodations will not impose
an “undue hardship” upon the employer. Thus, employers would be encouraged
to afford employees flexible work shifts so that they may observe
religious holy days and permit employees to wear religiously required garb
at work.
Other original co-sponsors of the legislation include: Senators Joe
Lieberman (D-CT), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Gordon
Smith (R-Or), Patty Murray (D-WA), Sam Brownback (R-KS), John Ensign
(R-NV), Jon Corzine (D-NJ), Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Larry Craig (R-ID).
Nathan Diament, director of the Union’s Institute for Public Affairs and a
leader of the diverse coalition of religious organizations supporting WRFA,
issued the following statement:
Promoting religious liberty is the
highest domestic policy priority for the Orthodox Union and its national
constituency. The issue of religious accommodation in the workplace is a
critical component of making religious liberty real for Americans of all
faiths. Thus, we strongly support WRFA and deeply appreciate the
leadership of Senators Santorum Kerry and their colleagues on this issue.
We look forward to continuing our work with them and the diverse members
of our coalition of religious communities to secure passage of this bill
and ensure that no American is forced to choose between career and
conscience.
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