Categories: Historical Documents

Alabama 1998

STATE OF ALABAMA

PROCLAMATION

BY THE GOVERNOR

WHEREAS, the Preamble to the Constitution of the State of Alabama states, “We, the people, of the state of Alabama, in order to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, and measure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and to our posterity, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution and form of government for the State of Alabama;” and

WHEREAS, Benjamin Franklin, at the Constitutional convention in 1787 said, “It is impossible to build an empire without our Father’s aid. I believe the sacred writings which say that ‘Except the lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it’ (Psalm 127:1):” and

WHEREAS, George Washington enunciated: “animated alone by the pure spirit of Christianity, and conducting ourselves the faithful subjects of our free government, we may enjoy every temporal and spiritual felicity;” and

WHEREAS, Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, wrote: “Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed the conviction of these liberties are the gift of God?”; and

WHEREAS, James Madison, father of the U.S. Constitution, advocated “the diffusion of the light of Christianity in our nation: in his Memorial and Remonstrance; and

WHEREAS, Patrick Henry quoted Proverbs 14:34 for our nation: “Righteousness alone can exalt a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people;” and

WHEREAS, these, and many other truly great men and women of the United States, instrumental in the structuring of American history, were statesmen of caliber and integrity who did not hesitate to express their faith but rather, felt it vital to include God and His will in the founding of our country; and

WHEREAS, may we as citizens of the United States of America set aside a time in which to reflect upon the important influence that religion had on the founders’ basic principles in the formation of this great nation:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bob James, Jr., Governor of the State of Alabama, do hereby proclaim Thanksgiving Week as

America’s Christian Heritage Week

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND, and The Great Seal of the Governor’s Office at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on this 26th Day of October, 1998.

BOB JAMES, JR.

Illinois 1998

TRANSCRIPT:

STATE OF ILLINOIS

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, religious holidays, festivals, and celebrations add to the cultural mosaic of our state; and

WHEREAS, churches are a functional part of the communities in our state, often providing charitable assistance to our citizens; and

WHEREAS, Thanksgiving week is an appropriate time to center attention on the religious heritage of our state and nation;

THEREFORE, I, Jim Edgar, Governor of the State of Illinois, proclaim November 22-28, 1998, as CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in Illinois.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and  caused the Great Seal of the State of Illinois to be affixed.

Done at the Capitol in the City of Springfield this twelfth day of November, in the Year of Our Lord one thousand, nine  hundred and ninety-eight, and of the State of Illinois the one hundred and EIGHTIETH.

JIM EDGAR

GOVERNOR

GEORGE H. RYAN

SECRETARY OF STATE

New Jersey 1998

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, during 1998, we reflect on the goals set forth in past years to understand and recapture our Christian Heritage and to reestablish our original freedom of religious concepts; and

WHEREAS, we are reminded of the words of James Madison, who in 1778 stated, “We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future…upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to sustain ourselves, according to the Ten Commandments of God”; and

WHEREAS, George Washington stated, “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection, aid, and favors”; and

WHEREAS, we also remember the words in the Declaration of Independence, when the Framers noted, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor”; and

WHEREAS, Thanksgiving week is an appropriate time to center attention on thanks to Almighty God for the “Blessings of Liberty,” to ask his help in reinsuring “domestic Tranquillity,” and to recognize our national need to reaffirm our “reliance on the protection of divine Providence” in keeping America a “Free and Independent” Nation;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN, Governor of the State of New Jersey, do hereby proclaim NOVEMBER 22 TO NOVEMBER 28, 1999 as AMERICA’S CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in New Jersey, and encourage our citizens to join in remembering that individual faith is in the power that inspires men of good will to lay foundations and to pursue noble goals for themselves and for their country.

GIVEN, under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of New Jersey, this twenty-eighth day of October in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and ninety-eight and of the Independence of the United States, the two hundred and twenty-third.

BY THE GOVERNOR:

CHRISTINE WHITMAN

GOVERNOR

CAROL C. CRONHEIM, ACTING SECRETARY OF STATE

Ponca City, Oklahoma 1997

City of Ponca City

STATE OF OKLAHOMA

Proclamation

WHEREAS, the Pilgrims, in the Mayflower Compact (1620), stated their purpose as, “…having undertaken, for the glorie of God, and advancemente of the Christian faith, …in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant & combine our selves togeather into a civil body politick, for our better ordering & preservation & furtherance of the ends aforesaid;…”; and

WHEREAS, on June 21, 1776, John Adams wrote, “Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone, which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand”; and

WHEREAS, our Declaration of Independence declares, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness;” and

WHEREAS, on June 28, 1787, at the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin, quoting from Psalm 127:1, warned “We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that ‘except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it’.”; and

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the United States of America, in Article I Section 7, recognizes Sunday as a day of rest and worship; and is dated “the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven”, thus measuring time from the birth of Jesus Christ (Anno Domini); and

WHEREAS, Thomas Jefferson, while President of the United States, was also made president of the school board for Washington, D.C. public schools and authored its original plan of education in which he placed the Bible and Watt’s Hymnal as two primary reading texts; and

WHEREAS, Thanksgiving week is an appropriate time to center attention on thanks to Almighty God for the “Blessings of Liberty”, to ask His help in reinsuring “domestic Tranquility”, and to recognize our national need to reaffirm our “reliance on the protection of divine Providence” in keeping America a free and independent Nation;

NOW, THEREFORE, I Marilyn Andrews, Mayor of the City of Ponca City, Oklahoma do hereby proclaim November 23, 1997, through November 29, 1997, as

“CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK”

And call upon the people of Ponca City and all interested churches, patriotic organization, and schools to observe such a week with appropriate ceremonies, activities and programs.

 In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand

and caused the Great Seal of the City of Ponca City

to be affixed this 23rdday of November, 1997.

Marilyn Andrews

South Carolina 1997

State of South Carolina

Proclamation

Know all men by these presents:

That November 23 – 29, 1997 is hereby proclaimed

Christian Heritage Week

throughout the state.

 

November 23, 1997

David M. Beasley

Governor

Newcastle, Wyoming 1997

PROCLAMATION

PROCLAIMING NOVEMBER 23 THROUGH

NOVEMBER 29, 1997 AS CHRISTIAN

HERITAGE WEEK IN NEWCASTLE, WYOMING

WHEREAS the Preamble to the Constitution of the State of Wyoming states that: “We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political and religious liberties, and desiring to secure them to ourselves and perpetuate them to our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.”; and

WHEREAS the Declaration of Independence of the United States of American states that: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”; and

WHEREAS on June 21, 1776, John Adams wrote, “Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone, which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand.”; and

WHEREAS George Washington enunciated: “Animated alone by the pure spirit of Christianity, and conducting ourselves as the faithful subjects of our free government, we may enjoy every temporal and spiritual felicity;”; and

WHEREAS Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, write: “Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed the conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?”; and

WHEREAS James Madison, father of the U.S. Constitution, advocated “the diffusion of the light of Christianity in our nation” in his Memorial and Remonstrance; and

WHEREAS Patrick Henry quoted Proverbs 14:34 for our nation: “Righteousness alone can exalt a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any;”; and

WHEREAS George Mason, in his Virginia Declaration of Rights, forerunner to our U.S. Bill of Rights, affirmed: “That it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love and charity toward each other;”; and

WHEREAS Thanksgiving week is an appropriate time to center attention on thanks to Almighty God for the “Blessings of Liberty”, to ask His help in reinsuring “domestic Tranquility”, and to recognize our national need to reaffirm our “reliance on the protection of divine Providence” in keeping America a “Free and Independent” Nation:

NOW, THEREFORE, I GREG JAMES, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF NEWCASTLE, WYOMING, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NEVEMBER 23 THROUGH NOVEMBER 29, 1997 AS CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK IN NEWCASTLE, WYOMING.

DATED and PROCLAIMED this 17thday of June, 1997.

CITY OF NEWCASTLE:  Greg James, Mayor

Attest:

Paul Scheck

City Clerk/Treasurer

Wyoming 1997

GOVERNOR’S PROCLAMATION

THE PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WYOMING states: “We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and desiring to secure them to ourselves and perpetuate them to our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.”

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA states that: “We hold these truths to be self-evident. That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

ON JUNE 21, 1776, JOHN ADAMS wrote, “Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone, which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand.”

GEORGE WASHINGTON enunciated, “Animated alone by the pure spirit of Christianity, and conducting ourselves as the faithful subjects of our free government, we may enjoy temporal and spiritual felicity.”

THOMAS JEFFERSON, author of the Declaration of Independence, wrote, “Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed the conviction that these liberties are the gift of God.”

JAMES MADISON, father of the U.S. Constitution, advocated “the diffusion of the light of Christianity in our nation” in his Memorial and Remonstrance.

PATRICK HENRY quoted Proverbs 14:34 for our nation: “Righteousness alone can exalt a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

GEORGE MASON  in his Virginia Declaration of Rights, forerunner to our Bill of Rights, affirmed, “That it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love and charity towards each other.”

THANKSGIVING week is an appropriate time to center attention on thanks to Almighty God for the “Blessing of Liberty;” to ask His help in reinsuring domestic Tranquility,” and to recognize our national need to reaffirm our “reliance on the protection of divine Providence” in keeping America a free and independent nation.

FOR THESE SIGNIFICANT REASONS, I, JIM GERINGER, Governor of the State of Wyoming, do hereby proclaim November 23-29, 1997 to be “CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK” in Wyoming.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Executive Seal of the Governor of Wyoming to be affixed this 10th day of September, 1997.

Jim Gerlinger

Governor

Diana J. Ohman

Secretary of State

Virginia 1997

Virginia

CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION

 

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution in the Governor of the

Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

 AMERICA’S CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK

WHEREAS, the brave settlers who ventured to America in 1607 under the First Virginia Charter granted by King James I put their faith in God and offered a prayer of Thanksgiving upon arriving in the New World at the Jamestown settlement; and

WHEREAS, the English adventurers who were granted this charter were charged with several purposes, among them “propagating Christian religion;” and

WHEREAS, in his Notes on the State of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson asked “Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God?,” and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jefferson later proclaimed as Governor of Virginia in 1779, a Public Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer, “That He would in mercy look down upon us, pardon all our sins and receive us into His favour; and finally, that He would establish the independence of these United States upon the basis of religion and virtue, and support and protect them in the enjoyment of peace, liberty and safety;” and

WHEREAS, James Madison proclaimed, “And to the same Divine Author of every good and perfect gift we are indebted for all the privileges and advantages, religious and civil, which are so richly enjoyed in this favored land” by Presidential Proclamation in 1815; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia was the first State to recognize the Statute of Religious Freedom and Article 1, Section 16 of the Virginia Constitution states “it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other;” and

WHEREAS, churches are important spiritual centers for millions of our citizens and help build strong families and cohesive communities; and

WHEREAS, during this Thanksgiving season we can all give thanks for the guidance, blessings and immeasurable bounty of our Creator, which has shaped the rich history of our Commonwealth and nation and brought us prosperity, freedom and opportunity;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, George Allen, Governor, do hereby recognize November 23-29, 1997, as CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

George Allen

Governor

Becky Davis Beamer

Secretary of the Commonwealth

Oklahoma 1997

STATE OF OKLAHOMA

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

PROCLAMATION

Whereas, John Adams wrote, “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were. . .the general principles of Christianity.” (Letter to Thomas Jefferson, June 28, 1813); and

Whereas, Noah Webster taught “The religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His Apostles. . .This is genuine Christianity and to this we owe our free constitutions of government.” (History of the United States, 1832, public school textbook); and

Whereas, Thomas Jefferson warned, “And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God?” (Notes on the State of Virginia, 1781); and

Whereas, James Madison proclaimed, “And to the same Divine Author of every good and perfect gift we are indebted for all those privileges and advantages, religious as well as civil, which are so richly enjoyed in this favored land.” (Presidential Proclamation, 1815); and

Whereas, Benjamin Rush encouraged, “Let the children…be carefully instructed in the principles and obligations of the Christian religion. This is the most essential part of education (“A Plan for Free Schools,” 1787); and

Whereas, George Washington exhorted, “We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation which disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.” (Inaugural Address, April 30, 1789); and

Whereas, commemorating America’s Christian heritage provides an opportunity for those choosing to participate to thank God for His “Blessings of Liberty,” to ask His help to “insure domestic Tranquillity” and to recognize our national need to reaffirm our “reliance on the Protection of divine Providence” in keeping America a “Free and Independent” Nation;

Now, therefore, I, Frank Keating, Governor of the State of Oklahoma, do hereby proclaim the week of November 23-29, 1997 (Thanksgiving Week) as “America’s Christian Heritage Week” in the State of Oklahoma and I encourage all citizens to acknowledge, appreciate, and celebrate, each in his or her own way, America’s Christian Heritage.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma to be affixed.

Done at the Capitol, in the City of Oklahoma City, this 4th day of November, in the Year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven, and of the State of Oklahoma in the eighty-ninth year.

Frank Keating

GOVERNOR

Sally Smedley

Acting Assistant SECRETARY OF STATE

Pennsylvania 1997

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Governor’s Office

Proclamation

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK

November 23 – 29, 1997

 

WHEREAS, The Preamble to the Constitution of the State of Pennsylvania states that “We, the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance, do ordain and establish this Constitution;” and

WHEREAS, Benjamin Franklin, at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 stated: “It is impossible to build an empire without our Father’s aid. I believe the sacred writings which say that ‘Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it’ (Psalm 127:1);” and

WHEREAS, George Washington enunciated: “animated alone by the pure spirit of Christianity, and conducing ourselves as the faithful subjects of our free government, we may enjoy every temporal and spiritual felicity;” and

WHEREAS, Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, wrote: “Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed the conviction of these liberties are the gift of God?” and

WHEREAS, James Madison, father of the U.S. Constitution, advocated “the diffusion of the light of Christianity in our nation” in his Memorial and Remonstrance; and

WHEREAS, Patrick Henry quoted Proverbs 14:34 for our nation: “Righteousness alone can exalt a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people;” and

WHEREAS, George Mason, in his Virginia Declaration of Rights, forerunner of our U.S. Bill of Rights, affirmed: “That it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love and charity towards each other;” and

WHEREAS, these and many other truly great men and women of America, giants in the structuring of American history, were statesmen of caliber and integrity who did not hesitate to express their faith.

THEREFORE, I, Tom Ridge, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim November 23 – 29, 1997, as CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in Pennsylvania.

GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, on this Fourteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven and of the Commonwealth the two hundred and twenty-second.

 

TOM RIDGE

Governor