Categories: Historical Documents

Newcastle, Wyoming, 1996

PROCLAMATION

PROCLAIMING NOVEMBER 24 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 1996 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, JACK STEPHENSEN, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF NEWCASTLE, WYOMING, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NEVEMBER 24 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 1996 AS CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK IN NEWCASTLE, WYOMING.

DATED and PROCLAIMED this 11thday of OCTOBER, 1996.

CITY OF NEWCASTLE:  

Jack Stephensen, Mayor

Attest:

Patricia Trosello

City Clerk

Arkansas 1996

STATE OF ARKANSAS

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

PROCLAMATION

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS COME – GREETINGS:

WHEREAS, Arkansas is richly blessed in natural beauty and natural resources, reflecting God’s miracle of creation; and

WHEREAS, for many Arkansans, life in the one-room schoolhouse began with a daily Pledge of Allegiance, prayer and Bible reading; and

WHEREAS, the Preamble to the Constitution of Arkansas declares, “We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government, for our civil and religious liberty . . . . do ordain and establish this constitution”; and

WHEREAS, our Christian heritage is seen daily in the character and lives of our citizens and by the many churches throughout the Natural State; and

WHEREAS, steadfast faith sustained our forefathers’ survival through years of hardship, isolation and suffering; and

WHEREAS, Thanksgiving week is an appropriate time to center attention on thanks to Almighty God for His great and good Providence and for the Christian faith, which is a foundation of American History;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mike Huckabee, acting under the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Arkansas, do hereby proclaim November 24 – 30 1996 as

“AMERICA’S CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK”

in the State of Arkansas and encourage all citizens to acknowledge and appreciate the heritage of our great state and nation.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas to be affixed this 21st day of August, in the year of our Lord 1996.

MIKE HUCKABEE, GOVERNOR

SHARON PRIEST, SECRETARY OF STATE

West Virginia 1996

Proclamation

by

Governor Gaston Caperton

WHEREAS,  West Virginia is richly blessed in natural beauty and natural resources, reflecting God’s miracle of creation; and,

WHEREAS, for many West Virginians, school days began in a one-room schoolhouse with a daily Pledge of Allegiance, prayer and Bible reading; and,

WHEREAS,  the Preamble to the Constitution of West Virginia declares, “Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia…reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God… .”; and,

WHEREAS, our Christian heritage is seen daily in the character and lives of our citizens and by the many churches throughout the Mountain State; and,

WHEREAS, steadfast faith sustained our Mountaineer forefathers’ survival through years of hardship, isolation and suffering; and,

WHEREAS, the state song, The West Virginia Hills, contains the lyrics, “With their summits bathed in glory, Like our Prince Immanuel’s land!” and “With their summits pointed skyward To the Great Almighty’s Land!”; and,

WHEREAS, Thanksgiving week is an appropriate time to center attention on thanks to Almighty God for His great and good Providence and for the Christian faith, which is a foundation of American history;

Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved that I, Gaston Caperton, Governor of the State of West Virginia, do hereby proclaim November 24 – November 30, 1996, as Christian Heritage Week in West Virginia  and encourage all citizens to acknowledge, appreciate  the heritage of our great state and nation where our motto is Mountaineers are Always Free.

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

Done at the Capitol, City of Charleston, State of West Virginia, this the Tenth day of April, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety-six and in the One Hundred Thirty-third year of the State.

Gaston Caperton

Governor

By the Governor

Ken Hechler

Secretary of State

Maryland 1996

THE STATE OF MARYLAND

PROCLAMATION

From the Governor of the State of Maryland

AMERICA’S CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK

NOVEMBER 24 – 30, 1996

 WHEREAS, The United States has a glorious history of religious freedom, extending from our founding fathers to modern times…and, Christians have been a strong influence in our nation and our government ever since the start; and

WHEREAS, Steadfast faith sustained our forefathers’ survival through years of hardship, isolation and suffering; 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, Thanksgiving week is an appropriate time to center attention on thanks for the blessings our nation has received and remember how much Christians have helped our nation reach its current majestic status.

NOW, THEREFORE, I,, PARRIS N. GLENDENING, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND, do hereby proclaim November 24 – 30, 1996 as AMERICA’S CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in Maryland, and do commend this observance to all of our citizens.

 Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the State of Maryland this 24th day of November One Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety-six.

 

 Parris N.  Glendening

 Govenor

 

John J. Willis

 Secretary of State

Michigan 1996

STATE OF MICHIGAN

    EXECUTIVE DECLARATION

Governor John Engler

Hereby Issues this Executive Declaration

in Observance of

November 24 – 30, 1996

as

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK

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 working people and challenge their beliefs; and

WHEREAS, CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK provides us with the opportunity 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 eradicating the tragedies of homelessness, poverty, violence, war and international conflicts; and

WHEREAS, it is eminently fitting and proper that we observe CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK as a special time to acknowledge our many blessings and express gratitude to God, while recognizing the need for strengthening religious and moral values in our land;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, John Engler, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby declare November 24 – 30, 1996, 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 first day of July in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and ninety-six and of the Commonwealth one hundred and fifty-nine.

JAMES ENGLER

Governor

Indiana 1996

STATE OF INDIANA

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

INDIANAPOLIS

PROCLAMATION

Executive Order

To All To Whom These Presents May Come, Greeting:

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

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

WHEREAS, it is fitting to center attention on the religious heritage of our state;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, EVAN BAYH, Governor of the State of Indiana, do hereby proclaim November 25-December 1, 1996 as CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in the State of Indiana.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Indiana at the Capitol in Indianapolis on this 27th day of September, 1996.

BY THE GOVERNOR:

Evan Bayh

Governor of Indiana

ATTEST:

Sue Anne Gilroy

Secretary of State

Asheville, North Carolina 1995

CITY OF ASHEVILLE

PROCLAMATION

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, it is important that our children learn the complete history of our nation, including the historical Christian Heritage, from the establishment of our nation to the present date; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of our city, state and nation may be fully educated about the Christian Heritage of our nation through the voluntary exercise of their constitutional right to the freedom of educational choice; and

WHEREAS, the Christian faith has been historically documented as a foundation influence on the inception, formation, structure and culture of our nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Russell M. Martin, Mayor of the City of Asheville, do hereby proclaim the week of November 19-26, 1995, as

“CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK”

 in the city of Asheville and commend this observance to all our citizens.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Asheville, North Carolina, to be affixed, this 14thday of November, 1995.

Russell M. Martin

Mayor

Beaverton, Oregon 1995

CITY OF BEAVERTON

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Oregon has been richly blessed in unsurpassed beauty and natural resources; and

WHEREAS, our country, our state, our communities and our families face difficult challenges in these changing and uncertain days; and

WHEREAS, the Christian faith has been recognized and historically documented as a foundational influence of the formation, structure and culture of this great nation and this state, revealed in its institutions, universities, hospitals, churches and charitable organizations; and

WHEREAS, it is important that our children learn the complete history of our nation and of our state, including Christian history, from the establishment of our nation to the present date; and

WHEREAS, the observance of Christian Heritage Week encourages Americans to affirm the nation’s spiritual roots and to enlist prayer for local, state and national leaders; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROB DRAKE, MAYOR, of the City of Beaverton do hereby proclaim the week of November 19 through November 25, 1995, as

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK

in the City of Beaverton and encourage citizens to join in this observance.

Rob Drake, Mayor

Wisconsin 1995

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 19 through November 25, 1995 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 twelfth day of June in the year one thousand nine hundred ninety-five.

TOMMY G. THOMPSON

GOVERNOR

By the Governor:

DOUGLAS LA FOLLETTE

Secretary of State

New York 1995

STATE OF NEW YORK

EXECUTIVE CHAMBER

The Christian heritage of our nation is recognized in the writings and accomplishments of our citizens and in public documents and utterances made by many prominent Americans, including Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and Patrick Henry.

The history of the Christian faith and traditions of our people is reflected in practices in our public institutions and by our government officials.

The importance of our Christian heritage to our institutions’ values and vision is invaluable and teaching future generations the all-important role of Christian heritage is meaningful to peoples of all faiths, with our churches serving a vital function in binding citizens together and providing crucial education and charitable services.

Thanksgiving week, traditionally a time to give thanks for our many blessings, has been designated as a time to celebrate Christian heritage.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, George E. Pataki, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby recognize November 19-25, 1995 as CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK.

George E. Pataki,

GOVERNOR