Creation Quest 2003

Jeff Smith's ride to Washington. Here is a press release about a promotion of the new Federal Law that allows discussion of the origins controversy in the public school classroom. Creation may now have the opportunity to get a fair hearing in public schools!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FURTHER INFO: Steve Post, CreationQuestPR@aol.com (704) 425-3318

400 Miles on a Horse

CONCORD, N.C. - On Sept. 28, Jeff Smith, will start a three-week, 400-mile journey from Concord to Washington, D.C. The ride to the nation's capital normally wouldn't require three weeks, but that's understandable in this instance considering Smith's mode of transportation - a horse.

"I wanted to do something to draw attention," said Smith, 43, senior pastor at Young Memorial Baptist Church. "Late in 2001, our United States Congress adopted a statement commonly called the 'Santorum amendment' that many people are not aware of. I'm calling my ride Creation Quest and the purpose is to make people aware of the statement"

The "Santorum amendment" states: "where topics are taught that may generate controversy (such as biological evolution), the curriculum should help students to understand the full range of scientific views that exist, why such topics may generate controversy, and how scientific discoveries can profoundly affect society."

"I want people to know about this academic freedom," said Smith. "Teachers and students are free to openly discuss Creation and Evolution in the classroom without fear of being reprimanded. Many local and state school boards are not aware of this, and that's the purpose of Creation Quest."

The "Santorum amendment" is contained in the Conference Report attached to the "No Child Left Behind Act" (H.R. 1) signed into law by President Bush on Jan. 8, 2002. The Amendment was originally supported by a Senate vote of 91-8 on June 13, 2001 as part of the "Better Education For Students and Teachers Act". The amendment was then added and supported in H.R. 1.

On his trip, Smith will participate in parades and other public events and be speaking at churches in North Carolina, Virginia and in Washington D.C. Final details of the trip are being put together, but basically he will be traveling U.S. Highway 29 from Concord to the nation's capital.

Other information about Creation Quest can be obtained at www.ymbc.org . Also, there remain some openings for churches along the route to have Smith speak as part of his trip.