Film Distributor Address
1975
The American history teacher
Members of NABT should take substantial pride in the action of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declaring the Tennessee "Genesis Law" unconstitutional. The competence of our counsel Frederic S. LeClercq in pursuing a federal ruling in this case in obvious, in that the court's opinion, in his words, "was a complete vindication of our seeking redress initially in the federal rather than the state courts .... our victory in the Court of Appeals was substantial and decisive." The court's ruling
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... o constituted vindication of NABT's decision to pursue this action through legal channels and to establish the "Fund For Freedom in Science Teaching" in support of the effort. Whatever our personal feelings regarding the continuing and often irrational evolution-creation debate, we owe it to ourselves to stand and be counted in support of constitutional guarantees of freedom to pursue a professional calling with integrity and with impunity from unjust and unwarranted interference. At this writing, it remains to be seen what long-term effects this ruling may have in deterring similar actions by other states. Even now, it appears that the state of Tennessee will pursue the question through appeal. What matters most is that the question has been elevated to the level of relevant action affecting all states; and that NABT continue to have the support of its members and others in response to appeals for funds. This is certainly not the last time that we shall be faced with problems of this sort. Efforts to limit use of living materials in classrooms are becoming a threat to effective biology teaching in some states, notably California. Nor have we sufficient funds on hand to complete our obligations in the present case. This is one of the few occasions when NABT has risen to a major challenge and has won. Don't let it be our last. Continue your contributions to the Fund for Freedom in Science Teaching and continue to stand tall for your profession. Thomas J. Cleaver President, NABT FILM DISTRIBUTOR ADDRESS
doi:10.2307/4445288
fatcat:5voiwpmr2bf4pbrw5y3eroofhu