Weisman v. Lee’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

11 federal appellate · 6 district · 3 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 32 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “particularly relied on Lemon in every case involving the sensitive relationship between government and religion in the education of our children.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the concurrence
   e.g. Merritt E. Jones, on His Behalf and as Next Friend of Pamela Jones, a Child v. Clear Creek Independent School District · Jones ex rel. Jones v. Clear Creek Independent School District

2. “Yet the question remains, is it necessary — to preserve separation of church and state — to prevent benedictions and invocations of this generous, inclusive sort? There is a tradition of such remarks at public functions going back to the Founders. See Marsh v. Chambers, 463 U.S. 783 [ 103 S.Ct. 3330 , 77 L.Ed.2d 1019 ] (1983) (sustaining prayer at opening of state legislature’s session). It seems unreasonable to say that Marsh applies only to state legislative sessions. One would expect it to cover other public meetings. If so, it may extend to a graduation ceremony like this. See Stein v. Plainwell Community Schools, 822 F.2d 1406 (6th Cir.1987) (upholding nonsectarian prayers at a public school graduation). Id. at 908 F.2d 1098 .”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the dissent
   e.g. 765 F. Supp. 682 - Albright v. Board of Educ. of Granite School Dist.

3. “For the political process of America in which all its citizens may participate, for its court system where all may seek justice we thank You. May those we honor this morning always turn to it in trust. 11”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the dissent
   e.g. Lee v. Weisman