PROCLAMATION
The Preamble to the Constitution of the state of North Dakota states that “We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain and establish this constitution.”
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).
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.”
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.”
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 U.S. Bill of Rights, affirmed: “That it is the mutual duty of all the practice Christian forbearance, love and charity towards each other.”
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.
For these reasons, I proclaim November 5-11, 2000, as
“CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK”
in North Dakota.
EDWARD T. SCHAFER
Governor
ATTEST:
Alvin Jaeger
Secretary of State
