Categories: Historical Documents

Massachusetts 1997

 

 

 

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

A PROCLAMATION

By His Excellency

GOVERNOR ARGEO PAUL CELLUCCI

1997

WHEREAS, The United States was originally settled by colonists seeking the freedom to worship freely; and

WHEREAS, In colonial times, religious leaders offered guidance through their role in the church and often led their communities in areas as diverse as theology, medicine, law, education, and politics; and

WHEREAS, Religion has served as a constant source of moral and spiritual guidance for centuries, providing millions of individuals with inspiration, hope, and comfort; and

WHEREAS, Christian Heritage Center is promoting the week of November 23rd through November 29th, 1997 as America’s Christian Heritage Week;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARGEO PAUL CELLUCCI, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim the week of November 23rd through November 29th, 1997, to be CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK IN MASSACHUSETTS and urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this sixth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and Ninety-seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and twenty-second.

By His Excellency the Governor

ARGEO PAUL CELLUCCI

WILLIAM F. GALVIN

Secretary of the Commonwealth

GOD SAVE THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

Michigan 1997

STATE OF MICHIGAN

EXECUTIVE DECLARATION

Governor John Engler

Hereby Issues this Executive Declaration

in Observance of

November 23 – 29, 1997

as

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK

WHEREAS, our nation was established on the foundation of our Judeo-Christian heritage, as our Founders knew that America’s experiment in ordered liberty could not succeed unless the American people remained mindful of God’s blessings and faithful to His will; and

WHEREAS, in Michigan, we are fortunate to have been blessed with beautiful rivers, lakes, fields, forests, and a people who, through hard work and intellectual effort and toil, have made cultural, industrial, agricultural, and educational advancements for the enrichment of life for our citizens; and

WHEREAS, In addition to having many blessings for which to be thankful, our society is also faced with difficult challenges, international unrest, and uncertain and changing times which test our people and challenge their beliefs; and

WHEREAS, it is our Christian Heritage which is treasured by so many of us, as Americans, that gives us strength during these trying times; and

WHEREAS, CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK provides us with the opportunity to acknowledge our many blessings, to contemplate the numerous challenges that we, as a society and a nation, face here at home and throughout the world, and to rededicate ourselves to our nation’s spiritual roots, our personal faith, and His divine plan to spread Hope, Peace, and Love among all people;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, John Engler, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby declare November 23 – 29, 1997, as CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in Michigan, and I encourage the citizens of the Great Lakes State to recognize the importance of Christian beliefs and values to the life and culture of our state and nation.

Given under my hand on this fifteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven and of the Commonwealth one hundred and sixty.

JAMES ENGLER

Governor

Arizona 1997

 

Office of the Governor

PROCLAMATION

“ARIZONA’S CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK”

WHEREAS, Arizona’s landscape is a beautiful reminder of God’s good work, and our diverse culture symbolizes his love for all people; and

WHEREAS, we, as a united people, celebrate the important role that our forefathers have played in the development of our culture; and

WHEREAS, the influence of America’s Christian Heritage is evident in the writings of William Bradford, John and Abigail Adams, James Madison, Patrick Henry, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, as well as countless public documents and decrees; and

WHEREAS,  Arizona’s Christian Heritage Week will be celebrated by people of all walks of life who wish to promote the message of unconditional love and the growing need for kindness and decency among all people throughout the country; and

WHEREAS, Thanksgiving is an ideal time to celebrate the contributions that our forefathers have made to our rich culture and strong heritage;

NOW, THEREFORE, I Jane Dee Hull, Governor of the State of Arizona, do hereby proclaim November 23 through 29, 1997 as

“ARIZONA’S CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK”

and urge all citizens of Arizona to recognize and observe this week.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Arizona

Jane Dee Hull
Governor

DONE at the Capitol in Phoenix on this ninth day of October in the year of our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety-seven and of the Independence of the United States of  America the Two Hundred and Twenty-first.

Betsey Bayless
Secretary of State

Illinois 1997

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 23-29, 1997, 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 thirty-first day of January, in the Year of Our Lord one thousand, nine hundred and ninety-seven, and of the State of Illinois the one hundred and seventy-ninth.

JIM EDGAR

GOVERNOR

GEORGE H. RYAN

SECRETARY OF STATE

Wisconsin 1997

THE STATE of WISCONSIN

OFFICE of the GOVERNOR

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS; our state has been richly blessed in natural beauty, reflecting God’s miracle of creation; and

WHEREAS; Christian Heritage is important to our state’s traditions and values; and

WHEREAS; religious holidays, festivals, and celebrations have brought welcome respite from labor, as well as renewed respect and meaning for nature’s seasons of change; and

WHEREAS; the community church serves a vital function in binding folk together and providing crucial education and charitable services; and

WHEREAS; teaching future generations of our state the all important role of Christian heritage is of concern to citizens of all faiths;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, TOMMY G. THOMPSON, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, do hereby proclaim November 23 through November 29, 1997 CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in the State of Wisconsin, and I commend this observance to all citizens.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin to be affixed.

Done at the Capitol in the City of Madison this thirteenth day of August in the year one thousand nine hundred ninety-seven.

TOMMY G. THOMPSON

GOVERNOR

By the Governor:

DOUGLAS LA FOLLETTE

Secretary of State

New Jersey 1997

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, during 1997, 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 23 TO NOVEMBER 29, 1997 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 ninth day of October in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven and of the Independence of the United States, the two hundred and twenty-first.

BY THE GOVERNOR:

CHRISTINE WHITMAN

GOVERNOR

LONNA R. HOOKS, SECRETARY OF STATE

New Mexico 1997

STATE OF NEW MEXICO EXECUTIVE OFFICE SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, THE CITIZENS OF NEW MEXICO CHOOSE TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEMORATE THE CHRISTIAN HERITAGE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND NEW MEXICO; AND

WHEREAS, THE CHRISTIAN HERITAGE OF OUR NATION IS RECOGNIZED IN THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF SUCH RENOWNED INDIVIDUALS AS CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, WILLIAM BRADFORD, GEORGE WASHINGTON, JOHN HANCOCK, ABIGAIL ADAMS, NOAH WEBSTER, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, AND WOODROW WILSON; AND

WHEREAS, TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT THE HISTORICAL CHRISTIAN HERITAGE OF OUR NATION FROM ITS DISCOVERY AND CONCEPTION TO ITS CONTINUAL APPLICATION IS EDUCATIONAL AND VIRTUOUS; AND

WHEREAS, THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS TO BE FULLY EDUCATED AS TO THE CHRISTIAN HERITAGE OF OUR NATION AND NEW MEXICO IS RECOGNIZED BY THE UNITED AND NEW MEXICO AS A VOLUNTARY EXERCISE OF THE FREEDOM OF EDUCATIONAL CHOICE; AND

WHEREAS, THE CHRISTIAN FAITH HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY DOCUMENTED AS A FOUNDATIONAL INFLUENCE OF THE INCEPTION, FORMATION, STRUCTURE AND CULTURE OF OUR NATION AND OF OUR STATE.

NOW, THEREFORE I, GARY E. JOHNSON, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE 23RD THROUGH THE 29TH OF NOVEMBER, 1997 AS “CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK” THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.

ATTEST:

DONE AT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE THIS 14TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1997.

STEPHANIE GONZALES

SECRETARY OF STATE

WITNESS MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.

GARY E. JOHNSON

GOVERNOR

New York 1996

STATE OF NEW YORK

EXECUTIVE CHAMBER

The Christian faith has been historically documented as a foundational influence on the inception, formation, structure and culture of our nation. Our Founding Fathers believed that obedience to a Sovereign Lord was imperative in order for our nation to prosper and endure.

The Christian heritage is visible in the lives and accomplishments of such notable Americans as George Washington, John Hancock, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, William Bradford, Abigail Adams, Noah Webster, Abraham Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson. The Christian influence upon the entire world is likewise profound, to the extent that we reckon time from the moment of the birth of the Son of God.

It is important that our children learn the complete history of our country, including its Christian heritage and the impact of Christianity from the time of our nation’s establishment to present day. It is fitting that we join in acknowledging the past and present relevance of Christianity in the formation of our country and in many facets of American life as we know it.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, George E. Pataki, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby recognize November 24 – 30, 1996 as CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in the Empire State.

 

George E. Pataki,

GOVERNOR

South Dakota 1996

Proclamation

State of South Dakota

Office of the Governor

WHEREAS, The Preamble to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota states that “We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties…and preserve to ourselves and to our posterity the blessings of liberty…;” 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 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, wrote: “Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have moved 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 towards each other;” and,

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

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. JANKLOW, Governor of the State of South Dakota, do hereby proclaim November 10 through November 16, 1996, as

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK

in South Dakota.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of South Dakota, in Pierre, the Capital City, this Twenty-Seventh Day of February, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Six.

 WILLIAM J. JANKLOW, GOVERNOR

ATTEST:

JOYCE HAZELTINE, SECRETARY OF STATE

Oregon 1996

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR PROCLAMATION

STATE OF OREGON

WHEREAS: Christianity is an integral part of our Western civilization and the history of this nation; and

WHEREAS:  America was founded on the principle of religious freedom, and many Americans have benefited from this privilege by being able to pursue Christianity as a means of developing their own faith.

WHEREAS:  It is important for Americans to know the influence of various religions and philosophies of our nation; and

WHEREAS:  Christianity has been a constant source of moral and spiritual guidance for many Americans throughout history; and

WHEREAS:  Christianity has been a major influence in American art, literature, music and has inspired a sense of charity in our communities; and

WHEREAS:  Christianity has long provided inspiration, hope and comfort for millions of Americans and will continue to do so in the years ahead.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, John A. Kitzhaber Governor of the State of Oregon, hereby proclaim April, 1996

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE MONTH

in Oregon and encourage all Oregonians to join in this observance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and cause the Great Seal of the State of Oregon to be affixed. Done at the Capitol in the city of Salem in the State Oregon on this day, January 24th 1996.

John A. Kitzhaber, Governor

Phil Keisling, Secretary of State