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Catholic Conference lauds
school voucher decision

MADISON -- "We are very pleased that the Court has decided that the First Amendment permits government to empower parents to select religious and independent schools for their children," said John Huebscher, executive director of the Wisconsin Cathoic Conference.

"The justices correctly recognized that a policy that assists parents without regard to their religious affiliation is not an establishment of religion," he said.

"It is also important that this decision be kept in perspective. As we said four years ago when the Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld the voucher program in Milwaukee, parental choice is neither a poison for public education nor a panacea for every child with learning difficulties," Huebscher commented.

"It is rather another useful strategy to help parents exercise their rights and responsibilities as the primary educators of their children."