Categories: Historical Documents

Mississippi 1995 (issued April)

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

Office of the Governor

A Proclamation

By

Governor Kirk Fordice

Whereas, in 1995, we again 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, the Constitution of the State of Mississippi states: “We the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work, do ordain and establish this Constitution…no preference shall be given by law to any religious sect or mode of worship; but the free enjoyment of all religious sentiments and the different modes of worship shall be held sacred. The rights hereby secured shall not be construed to justify acts of licentiousness injurious to morals or dangerous to the peace and safety of the State, or to exclude the Holy Bible from use in any public school of this State”; 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, let us now refrain from excluding from our teachings, our textbooks and our thoughts the importance of religious values and activities in America’s private, public, and political life; and

Whereas, may 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”

Now, therefore, I, Kirk Fordice, Governor of the State of Mississippi, hereby proclaim Thanksgiving Week, November 19 through November 25, 1995, CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in the State of Mississippi and encourage our citizens to join in remembering that individual faith is the power that inspires men of goodwill to lay foundations and to pursue noble goals for themselves and for their country. God bless the citizens of the State of Mississippi, and God bless the United States of America.

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

DONE in the City of Jackson, April 13, 1995, in the two hundred and nineteenth year of the United States of America.

 KIRK FORDICE

 GOVERNOR

Wisconsin 1994

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 20 through November 26, 1994 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 first day of November in the year one thousand nine hundred ninety-four.

TOMMY G. THOMPSON

GOVERNOR

By the Governor:

DOUGLAS LA FOLLETTE

Secretary of State

Virginia 1994

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 formation of the Virginia Colony began April 10, 1606 with the First Charter of Virginia having among the several purposes of the company being “propagating Christian Religion”; one hundred and four English settlers on April 26, 1607, landed on the shores of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, these settlers planted a cross at what they called Cape Henry and offered a prayer of thanksgiving and dedication of the land to God: “…. That from these very shores the gospel shall go forth to not only this New World, but the entire world”, and this landing resulted in the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown; and

WHEREAS, our Virginia history is replete with references to the Bible, the Ten Commandments, and faith in God from George Washington, Patrick Henry, and James Madison; and

WHEREAS, the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights all flowed from authors having similar views;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, George Allen, Governor, do hereby recognize November 20-26, 1994, 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

North Carolina 1994

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

JAMES B. HUNT JR.

GOVERNOR

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK

1994

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of North Carolina desires to recognize and commemorate the Christian Heritage of the United States of America; 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, 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 great 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 foundational influence on the inception, formation, structure and culture of our nation;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES B. HUNT JR., Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim November 20 through 26, 1994, as “Christian Heritage Week” in North Carolina and commend this observance to all our citizens.

JAMES B. HUNT JR.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capital in Raleigh this thirty-first day of October in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and eighteenth.

South Carolina 1994

PROCLAMATION BY

GOVERNOR CARROLL A. CAMPBELL, JR.

ON

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK

WHEREAS,  we each have been richly blessed by The Almighty whose divine providence our founding fathers sought as they established these United States of America as a free and independent nation; and

WHEREAS,  the contributions of faith and traditions of our people are often reflected in the prayers offered preceding each day’s opening of Congress and the General Assembly of this state; and

WHEREAS,  the importance of our Christian heritage to the institutions, values and vision of our nation is immeasurable; and

WHEREAS,  our Christian heritage is further reflected by our people and our leaders, past and present, in our individual and collective efforts as a nation of peacekeepers and peacemakers to provide for other people, both in America and abroad, by providing humanitarian assistance to our fellow men, women and children; and

WHEREAS,  it is appropriate to recognize the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving for God’s providence as a special time and reason for celebrating our nation’s Christian heritage.

NOW, THEREFORE, I Carroll A. Campbell, Jr., Governor of the state of South Carolina, do hereby proclaim November 20 – 26, 1994 as CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in South Carolina.

Carroll A. Campbell, Jr.

Governor

State of South Carolina

Office of the Governor

Tennessee 1994

STATE OF TENNESSEE

PROCLAMATION

BY THE GOVERNOR

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

WHEREAS, the importance of Christian heritage to the traditions and values of our state is immeasurable; and

WHEREAS, religious holidays, festivals and celebrations have brought welcome respite from weary 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 crucial concern to citizens of all faiths;

NOW, THEREFORE, I Ned McWherter, as Governor of the State of Tennessee, do hereby proclaim November 20-26, 1994, as CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in Tennessee, and urge all citizens to join me in this worthy observance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I HAVE HEREUNTO SET MY HAND AND CAUSED THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE TO BE AFFIXED AT NASHVILLE ON THIS 21ST DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1994.

Ned McWherter

GOVERNOR

Riley C. Darnell

SECRETARY OF STATE

Delaware 1994

STATEMENT

IN OBSERVANCE OF

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK

Whereas, our Nation was founded on the belief that religious freedom was an inherent right of all citizens; and

Whereas, the Constitution of the State of Delaware states that “Through Divine Goodness, all men have by nature the rights of worshiping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences…”; and

Whereas, the Continental Congress on September 11, 1777, approved and recommended to the people that 20,000 copies of The Holy Bible be imported from other sources. This was in response to the shortage of Bibles in America caused by the Revolutionary War interrupting trade with England; and

Whereas, Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859), a famous French statesman, historian and social philosopher toured America. He published, Democracy in America, described as “the most comprehensive and penetrating analysis of the relationship between character and society in America that has ever been written.” In it he related: “Upon my arrival in the United States the religious aspect of the country was the first thing that struck my attention; and the longer I stayed there, the more I perceived the great political consequences resulting from this new state of things. In France I had almost always seen the spirit of religion and the spirit of freedom marching in opposite directions. But in America I found they were intimately united and that they reigned in common over the same country. Religion in America…must be regarded as the foremost of the political institutions of that country; for it it does not impart a taste for freedom, it facilitates the use of it. Indeed, it is in this same point of view that the inhabitants of the United States themselves look upon religious belief. I do not know whether all Americans have a sincere faith in their religion—for who can search the human heart?—But I am certain that they hold it to be indispensable to the maintenance of republican institutions”; and

Whereas, in 1939, George Washington Carver was awarded the Roosevelt Medal, with the declaration: “To a scientist humbly seeking the guidance of God and a liberator to men of the white race as well as the black.” To which George Washington Carver remarked: “The secret of my success? It is simple. It is found in the Bible, ‘In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.’ (Prov.3:6)”; and

Whereas, these facts give evidence that throughout the history of America our country was guided by men and women who relied on their religious beliefs for guidance, strength and comfort.

Now, Therefore, We, Thomas R. Carper, Governor, and Ruth Ann Minner, Lieutenant Governor, of the State of Delaware do hereby declare November 20-26, 1994, as: CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in the State of Delaware, and urge all citizens to recognize the importance of this event.

Alaska 1994

STATE OF ALASKA

Executive Proclamation

by

Walter J. Hickel, Governor

Alaska has been richly blessed in natural beauty, reflecting God’s miracle of creation. The importance of our Christian heritage to the traditions and values of our state is immeasurable. Religious holidays, festivals, and celebrations add to the cultural and spiritual mosaic of our state and nation.

The Christian faith has been historically documented as a foundational influence on the inception, formation, structure, and culture of our nation. 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. It is recorded 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.

The community Christian church also serves a vital function in binding folks together and providing crucial education and charitable services. Teaching future generation of our state the all important role of Christian heritage is of concern to citizens of all faiths.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Walter J. Hickel, Governor of the State of Alaska, do hereby proclaim November 20-26, 1994, as:

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK IN ALASKA

and encourage all Alaskans to reflect upon this foundation of our nation.

DATED: August 3, 1994

Done by Walter J. Hickel, Governor who has also authorized the seal  of the State of Alaska to be affixed to this proclamation.

KENTUCKY 1994

PROCLAMATION

BY

BRERETON C. JONES

OF THE

COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY

To All To Whom These Presents Shall Come:

WHEREAS, The Pilgrim fathers, in the Mayflower Compact, America’s first written constitution, made a Covenant with Almighty God to “form a civil body politic” “for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith;” and

WHEREAS, Our Founding Fathers recognized that obedience to our Sovereign Lord was the key to national prosperity, and security, and

WHEREAS, The Lord of Glory is recognized in all fifty state constitutions as the Chief Cornerstone of civil government and of all other American institutions, and

WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln in his great prayer proclamation said, “it is the duty of nations to own their dependence on the overruling power of God” and, “That those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord,” and

WHEREAS, George Washington in the first Thanksgiving proclamation said, “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge this Providence of Almighty God, to obey His Will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection, and favor…,” and

WHEREAS, We reckon time in the Western World and in the United States from the birth of the Son of God (ANNO DOMINI – IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD), and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Kentucky has made notable contributions to the preserving of our Christian heritage and our constitutional republic,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BRERETON C. JONES, Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, do hereby proclaim November 20 – 26, in the Year of our Lord 1994 as CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in Kentucky, and call on the citizens of the Commonwealth, in the words of Samuel Adams, “TO RESTORE THE SOVEREIGN,” to acknowledge His Providence and to make supplication to the Great Ruler of nations for forgiveness of our transgressions and to declare that the LORD IS GOD, as commanded in the Holy Scriptures, and to affirm with Patrick Henry, that we must be “faithful to the Majesty on High which (we) revere above all earthly kings.”

DONE AT THE CAPITOL, in the City of Frankfort, this Thanksgiving Day, the 18th day of November, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety-four and in the Two Hundred and Third of the Commonwealth.

BRERETON C. JONES

GOVERNOR

Bob Babbage

Secretary of State

Idaho 1994

The Office of the Governor

Proclamation

WHEREAS, the Preamble to the Constitution of the State of Idaho declares that “We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote our common welfare do establish this Constitution.”; and

WHEREAS, Idaho has been richly blessed in natural beauty, reflecting God’s miracle of creation; and the importance of our Christian heritage to the traditions and values of Idaho is immeasurable; and

WHEREAS, 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; and

WHEREAS, the history of Christian faith and traditions of our people is reflected in practices in our public institutions and by our government officials; and

WHEREAS, 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 community churches serving a vital function in binding citizens together and providing crucial education and charitable services; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate to set aside a specific time for celebrating our Christian heritage;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CECIL D. ANDRUS, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim October 16 through 22, 1994, to be

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK

in Idaho, and I encourage our citizens to acknowledge and appreciate the religious heritage of our great state and nation and to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies, activities and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on the seventh day of September in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred ninety-four and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred nineteenth and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred fifth.

CECIL D. ANDRUS

GOVERNOR

PETE T. CEARRUSA

SECRETARY OF STATE