Mr. Schenck was present in College Station, Texas, as Governor Romney addressed invited guests at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library.

    Mr. Schenck, who has announced he will not endorse a candidate, said about Mr. Romney's speech:

    "This was a courageous and historic act of leadership by Governor Romney. Evangelicals and Mormons will continue to have serious theological differences. In fact, I disagree strongly with some of the Governor's religious beliefs, but it's clear Mitt Romney does share with religious conservatives many of our deepest convictions on religious liberty, the critical importance of belief in God, the public role of faith, the sanctity of the traditional family and paramount moral issues.

    "This speech should go a long way to relieve worries about Governor Romney's particular religion and church membership. In fact, the Constitution strictly forbids a religious test for office, so those specifics should be off limits.

    "I believe Governor Romney's statement will help break down walls of suspicion like those that once kept Catholics and Evangelicals from working together. Morally conservative people should be allies, not adversaries. We need one another in the war against the dangerous advance of godless secularism in America. We should welcome similar commitments from all presidential candidates. With this speech Governor Romney has set a very high bar."

    Mr. Schenck is available for further comment.