STEVE BROWN'S RICAN FIREPLACE &BARBEQUE DIST. Pro-RFRA Coalition Takes Shape MICHIGAN'S PREMIERE FIREPLACE & BBQ SHOWROOM JAMES D. BESSER WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT The first round of congression- al hearings on the recent Supreme Court decision invali- - dating the Religious Freedom • Restoration Act produced no sur- prises, but a clearer picture of the emerging strategy of the battered pro-RFRA coalition. That group consists of the Jewish, Christian and civil liberties groups that won passage of the law in 1993 and now consider its revival a top legislative priority. Legislators and witnesses /- alike at the Constitution Judi- ciary Subcommittee hearings showed little sympathy for claims by Rep. Ernest Jim Is- took, R-Okla., that his "religious freedom" amendment to the Con- stitution — aimed primarily at legalizing school prayer — would remedy the problems caused by the court's controversial ruling. Rep. Charles Canady, R-Fla., I 7- chair of the subcommittee, made it clear that he views RFRA, which made it harder for state and local officials to even indi- rectly burden religious obser- vance without demonstrating a compelling interest in doing so, as a separate matter entirely. "Canady also was very en- couraging in that he clearly be- • lieves the Supreme Court /-- decision poses a significant prob- lem that needs to be addressed by Congress," said Reva Price, Washington representative for the Jewish Council for Public Af- fairs. Marc D. Stern, co-director of the American Jewish Congress Commission on Law and Social Action, testified that Congress needs to deal with both aspects /- of the court's decision — pro- tecting religious liberty and maintaining congressional au- thority. "Each deserves a substantial response," Mr. Stern said. "If left unaddressed, each of the adverse impacts created by the decision will create social problems of sub- stantial impact." The coalition has made sig- nificant strides in recent days in developing strategies for dealing with what many members con- sider an emergency. Initially, the coalition will seek a non-binding "sense of the Con- gress" resolution affirming the need for remedial action. A pro- posed resolution is being draft- ed by one of the strange alliances the RFRA coalition has produced • — Mike Farris, an ultra-conser- vative home schooling advocate, and Elliot Mincberg, legal direc- tor of the liberal People for the American Way. ❑ c." PACIFIC GAS SPECIALTIES ce your e, replace with a spectacular • • new look. -,ait• 1, Custom Mantels Granite Marble • Glass Doors 4. Gas Logs In The Warehouse District!! A FIREPLACE & BARBEQUE DIST. 10662 Horthend Oak Park, Michigan Hours: MICHIGAN'S PREMIERE FIREPLACE & BBQ Mon.-Fri. 7:30 am to 5:00 pm Sat. 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. Or by Appointrnent VISIT OUR DESIGN CENTER AND SHOWROOM RECOMMENDED BY MICHIGAN'S TOP ARCHITECTS, DESIGNERS & BUILDERS With Sincere Gratitude to all my family, friends, and clergy who extended their devotion and prayers for my recovery during my recent illness. SHIRLEY DORN ROBBINS to our valued customers One Free Guardian Home Alarm System* With Any In Home Air Conditioning or Furnace Estimates Coupon Expires Yu% 25, 19.97 HEATING Sun 's service doesn't cost. . . it pays! 'T4 Connection Kit and Monthly Monitoring Agreement If,quired AIR CONDITIONING (810)335-4555 107