In response to the ruling, I joined 30 Members of Congress and spokespersons from faith organizations representing millions of people across the country last Wednesday for a bipartisan press conference to defend the National Day of Prayer and call on the White House to appeal the ruling.

Throughout our nation’s history, prayer and religion have been deeply woven into the foundation of our great democracy. I am concerned that the federal judge’s decision to call the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional represents a movement we are seeing across the country of a small minority who want to exclude faith, religion, and morality from the marketplace of ideas.

Fortunately on Thursday, the day after our press conference, the Department of Justice and the White House announced that it would appeal the judge's ruling.

The following is a wrap-up of the events last week:

Associated Press: Federal judge rules Day of Prayer unconstitutional
A federal judge in Wisconsin ruled the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional Thursday, saying the day amounts to a call for religious action.

CNN Interview on "Faces of Faith"
Congressman Forbes discusses the National Day of Prayer Ruling with Annie Laurie Gaylor, President of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the group that filed the lawsuit challenging the National Day of Prayer as unconstitutional. 

Press Conference Footage
Over 30 Members of Congress and leaders of faith organizations defend the constitutionality of the National Day of Prayer and call on the White House to appeal the federal judge's ruling.

Department of Justice Decides to Appeal National Day of Prayer Ruling
Congressman Forbes makes a statement on the Department of Justice's decision Thursday to appeal the federal judge's ruling.

Washington Times: Lawmakers aim to keep prayer day
A bipartisan group of House lawmakers Wednesday denounced a federal judge's recent ruling that the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional and said they were calling on President Obama to aggressively appeal the decision.

Politico: House members blast prayer ruling
Members sounded confident that the ruling would fall on appeal in the Seventh Circuit. And Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-Tenn.) said he’s “certain” the Obama administration will issue a proclamation for a National Day of Prayer on May 6, despite the ruling.

I had the privilege of speaking at Ben’s school a couple of weeks ago on the topic of autism and education. It was clear that a large part of Ben’s success is due to the overwhelming efforts of his parents, teachers, and friends who took the time to become educated on autism. However, Ben’s situation is unique.

For many individuals, autism can be a confusing and frightening disease, not just for the individuals and family members who are impacted by it directly, but to those individuals who are not educated about the disease. Today, one in 110 children in the United States is living with autism. In boys, the number is greater – about 1 in 70 – making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. Still thousands of others live with the impact of the disease daily as they manage a young child, grandchild, or niece or nephew who has been diagnosed with autism.

Treatment for autism is a very intensive, comprehensive undertaking that involves the child's entire family and a team of professionals. As a result, the disease can be stressful and emotional for everyone involved. However, many parents say that a lack of widespread understanding of the disease and different angles of reporting from news agencies is one of the most difficult parts of coping with autism.

However, stories like Ben’s are evidence of what autism awareness and education can accomplish. Just as with Ben and his family, there is hope for children who find ways to overcome what is essentially a handicap. Many parents of children with autism say that acceptance, understanding and compassion are the values that will help their children succeed.

This April, we recognize National Autism Awareness Month, a time set aside to build a greater national understanding of a disease that is impacting thousands of Americans. Autism awareness organizations suggest three steps individuals can take to build a better understanding of life with autism:

Get Educated
Take a few minutes to read about autism to learn the signs, find out about early diagnosis and intervention efforts, and read what it means for families living with autism. Organizations like Autism Speaks provide frequently asked questions links on their Web site, or you can learn about the impact of autism on marriages, finances, and personal relationships here. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information on learning the signs of autism early.

Get Creative
Our education systems play a significant role in the lives of children with autism. If you are a parent with a child with autism, or if you are active in your local school system, encouraging different opportunities for students in your school to learn about autism can help build a better understanding among peers. Children with autism face social interaction challenges, and creating social opportunities is an important part of awareness and education. Increased education among students can lead to a greater acceptance of students with disabilities and can decrease bullying in schools. Find and download resources on autism from Autism Speaks here or from the CDC here.

Get Involved
If you know a parent or family member who has a child with autism, ask them how you can help. Often times, parents of children with autism say having an extra hand at the grocery store or while they do yard work means all the difference, especially as children with autism often require extra attention.

Find out more about autism at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.