Pace Prayer Gets Congressional Support

Breaking News Update: 6:30 p.m.
---Principal Frank Lay and Athletic Director
Robert Freeman found not guilty in school prayer case. We will much more on News 5 at 10:00 p.m. and later on WKRG.com.

Florida Congressman Jeff Miller made a passionate plea to his colleagues on Capitol Hill in defense of two Pace High School officials facing criminal charges for praying during a luncheon.

During a speech Tuesday on the floor of the House of Representatives, Rep. Miller (R-District 1) said "the judicial branch is once again trying to act like the legislative branch," saying a federal order forbidding prayer at school and school-related events tramples on the rights of Americans.

The order Miller referred to was issued earlier this year in response to a lawsuit filed by the ACLU on behalf of two anonymous Pace High School students in 2008.

Pace High School Principal Frank Lay and the school's athletic director, Robert Freeman are accused of violating the order when Lay asked Freeman to bless the food at a luncheon for school personnel and booster club members.

Hundreds of students and teachers gathered at the federal courthouse in Pensacola to support the men as they stood trial Thursday. Lay and Freeman arrived at the courthouse Thursday morning to cheers from the supporters.

"Trouble is brewing," said Miller during his speech. "I believe a federal judge has gone well outside the bounds of the Constitution to declare prayer offered among adults is illegal," he said.

U.S. District Judge Casey Rogers is presiding over the trial. Closing arguments wrapped up around 5:15 p.m., News Five's Tiffany Craig is at the federal courthouse awaiting a verdict.