Categories: Historical Documents

Mississippi 1994

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

Office of the Governor

KIRK FORDICE

Whereas, in 1994, 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, we are reminded of the words of James Madison who in 1778 said, “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, James Madison also advocated, “The diffusion of the light of Christianity in our nation” in his Memorial and Remonstrance; 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 November 20 through November 26, 1994, CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in the State of Mississippi and encourage our citizens to join in remembering that individual faith if the power that inspires men of goodwill to lay foundations and to pursue noble goals for themselves and their country.

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

DONE at the Capitol in the City of Jackson, August 24, 1994, in the two hundred and nineteenth year of the United States of America.

 KIRK FORDICE

 GOVERNOR

BY THE GOVERNOR

DICK MOLPUS

SECRETARY OF STATE

Louisiana 1994

STATE OF LOUISIANA

EDWIN W. EDWARDS

GOVERNOR

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, throughout the history of our country, prayer has been recognized by our leaders in times of war and peace as a vital part of maintaining a strong national character, and necessary to procure the blessings of a just and benevolent God upon our government and people; and

WHEREAS, the first national Thanksgiving Proclamation was put forth by Samuel Adams as a “National Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer” and was observed by Washington’s army in the snowy fields of Valley Forge; and

WHEREAS, the observance of prayer encourages Americans to affirm our nation’s spiritual roots, to acknowledge dependence on God and to enlist prayer for local, state and national leaders; and

WHEREAS, it is certainly fitting and proper that we in Louisiana observe a time when all in our communities may acknowledge our many blessings and express gratitude to God for them while recognizing the need for strengthening religious and moral values in our land; and

WHEREAS, it is important that we remember the need to stand in the grace of God every day and we should acknowledge the need to pray for our leaders in government; and

WHEREAS, a time should be set aside to focus on the wisdom of God in the heritage of the United States and the intention of our founding fathers that the counsel of God be always deeply rooted in our makeup and progress as a nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDWIN W. EDWARDS, Governor of the State of Louisiana, do hereby proclaim November 20 through November 26, 1994 as CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in the State of Louisiana, and encourage all citizens to acknowledge and appreciate the religious heritage of our great state and nation.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Louisiana, at the Capitol, in the City of Baton Rouge, on this The 23rd day of March A.D. 1994.

Attest By

The Governor

EDWIN W. EDWARDS

Governor of Louisiana

Fox Mc Keithen

Secretary of State

Michigan 1994

STATE OF MICHIGAN

EXECUTIVE DECLARATION

Governor John Engler

Hereby Issues this Executive Declaration

in Observance of

November 20 – 26, 1994

as

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK

WHEREAS, as our society faces difficult challenges and international unrest, these uncertain and changing times test our working people, their families and challenge their beliefs; 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

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, it is eminently fitting and proper that during November 20 – 26, 1994, we observe CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK as a special time when everyone in our communities may acknowledge their 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 20 – 26, 1994, as CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in Michigan. 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 seventh day of April in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and ninety-four and of the Commonwealth one hundred and fifty-eight.

JAMES ENGLER

Governor

Indiana 1994

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, Thanksgiving week is a fitting time 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 20 – 26, 1994 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 18th day of April, 1994.

BY THE GOVERNOR:

Evan Bayh

Governor of Indiana

ATTEST:

Sue Anne Gilroy

Secretary of State

Missouri 1994

Office of the Governor

State of Missouri

Proclamation

WHEREAS, the progress of any republic or people is based upon principles held most reverent to citizens; and

WHEREAS, principles are the building blocks of vision and without vision the people shall perish; and

WHEREAS, principles, be they political, moral or spiritual, must be reaffirmed and reexamined at regular intervals; and

WHEREAS, celebration of principles is a positive action; and

WHEREAS, supporters of Christianity have chosen November 20-26, 1994, as a time of examining and celebrating the heritage of their faith; and

WHEREAS, the Office of the Governor believes it to be appropriate for peoples to examine and celebrate their histories and their principles:

NOW THEREFORE, I, MEL CARNAHAN, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, do hereby proclaim November 20-26, 1994 as CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in Missouri to commend this celebration of a community’s history, faith, and principles.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, this 17th day of May, 1994.

MEL CARNAHAN

Governor

Attest:                 JUDITH K. MORIARTY

Secretary of State

West Virginia 1994

Proclamation

by

Gaston Caperton

Governor of the State of West Virginia

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

WHEREAS,  the, Bill of Rights to the Constitution of West Virginia and the U. S. Constitution guarantees freedom of religious speech and worship to all citizens; and,

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

WHEREAS, Psalm 17:1 warns, Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain; 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 20, 1994  – November 26, 1994, as: Christian Heritage Week in West Virginia  and encourage all citizens to acknowledge, appreciate  the religious heritage of our great state and nation.

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 Eighteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety-four and in the One Hundred Thirty-first year of the State.

Gaston Caperton

Governor

By the Governor

Ken Hechler

Secretary of State

Iowa 1994

STATE OF IOWA

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

In The Name and By The Authority of The State of Iowa

PROCLAMATION

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, TERRY E. BRANSTAD, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF IOWA, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 20 – 26, 1994, AS AMERICA’S CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK IN IOWA, IN RECOGNITION OF OUR RELIGIOUS HERITAGE.

 IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I HAVE HEREUNTO SUBSCRIBED MY NAME AND CAUSED THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF IOWA TO BE AFFIXED.

DONE AT DES MOINES, IOWA THIS 4TH DAY OF OCTOBER IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND  NINE HUNDRED NINETY-FOUR.

TERRY E. BRANSTAD

GOVERNOR

ATTEST:

ELAINE BAXTER

SECRETARY OF STATE

Ohio 1993

In the name and by the Authority of

THE STATE OF OHIO

GEORGE V. VOINOVICH

Governor of said State

Hereby officially designates

NOVEMBER 21-27, 1993

“CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK”

THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF OHIO.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I HAVE HEREUNTO SUBSCRIBED MY NAME AND CAUSED THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF OHIO TO BE AFFIXED, AT COLUMBUS, THIS SEVENTEENTH DAY OF NOVEMBER, ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED AND NINETY-THREE.

George V. Voinovich

Governor

Rhode Island 1993

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

OFFICE of the GOVERNOR

The Governor of the State of Rhode Island

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, on behalf of the citizens of the State of Rhode Island, I am pleased to join with The CONCORD CHRISTIAN CONNECTION in recognizing Christian Heritage Week, November 21-27, 1993; and

WHEREAS, the Rhode Island legislature begins each daily session with a prayer to Almighty God; and

WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights to the Constitution of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations guarantees religious freedom to all citizens; and

WHEREAS, as Governor, I am pleased to recognize this Thanksgiving Week as Christian Heritage Week; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BRUCE SUNDLUN, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM, NOVEMBER 21-27, 1993 CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in the State of Rhode Island.

In recognition whereof I have hereby set my hand and caused the Seal of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations to be hereunto affixed this 17th day of November, 1993.

Bruce Sandlun

GOVERNOR

Barbara M. Leonard

SECRETARY OF STATE

South Carolina 1993

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 21 – 27, 1993 as CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in South Carolina.

Carroll A. Campbell, Jr.

Governor

State of South Carolina

Office of the Governor