Topics: Christian Heritage Week

Republic, Missouri 2000

CITY of

REPUBLIC

PROCLAMATION

 WHEREAS, John Adams wrote, “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were…the general principles of Christianity.” (Letter to Thomas Jefferson, June 28, 1813); and,

WHEREAS, Noah Webster taught “The religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His Apostles…This is genuine Christianity and to this we owe our free constitutions of government.” (History of the United States, 1832, public school textbook); and,

WHEREAS, Thomas Jefferson warned, “Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God?” (Notes on the State of Virginia, 1781); and

WHEREAS,   James Madison proclaimed, “And to the same Divine Author of every good and perfect gift we are indebted for all those privileges and advantages, religious as well as civil, which are so richly enjoyed in this favored land.” (Presidential Proclamation, 1815); and,

WHEREAS, Benjamin Rush encouraged, “Let the children…be carefully instructed in the principles and obligations of the Christian religion. This is the most essential part of education.” (A Plan for Free Schools, 1787); and,

WHEREAS, George Washington exhorted, “We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation which disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.” (“Inaugural Address,” April 30, 1789); and

WHEREAS, commemorating America’s Christian heritage provides an opportunity for those choosing to participate to thank God for His “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, in conjunction with the 9thAnnual “America’s Christian Heritage Week” that is scheduled for November 19-25th, 2000, I, Keith D. Miller, serving as Mayor of the City of Republic, join in this nationwide celebration of America’s Christian Heritage by proclaiming November, 2000, as America’s Christian Heritage Month.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF,I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the City of Republic, this sixth day of November, A.D. 2000.

Keith D. Miller

Mayor

Mississippi 2000

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

Office of the Governor

A Proclamation

by

Governor Ronnie Musgrove 

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State of Mississippi recognizes that the people of Mississippi are “grateful to Almighty God” while acknowledging that in a nation founded on freedom “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;” and

WHEREAS, many of our nation’s founders acknowledged the significance of the Christian religion in their lives and its importance upon the actions they took to establish our national government; and

WHEREAS, all our nation’s founders were shaped by their Christian ethics and heritage and the beliefs and teachings of Christianity; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting to acknowledge the religious and spiritual beliefs and influences that, at one significant point in history produced and influenced our nation’s founders; and

WHEREAS, a knowledge and understanding of these influences will give us a deeper appreciation of our nation’s unique role and example to the world; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I Ronnie Musgrove, Governor of the State of Mississippi, hereby proclaim October 1-7, 2000 as Mississippi’s Seventh Annual

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK

in the State of Mississippi and urge our citizens to reflect on Christianity’s important influences in the founding and life of our state and nation.

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, June 22, 2000, in the two hundred and twenty-fourth year of the United States of America.

RONNIE MUSGROVE

GOVERNOR

New York 2000

State of New York

Executive Chamber

WHEREAS, during the week of May 7-13, 2000, the Annual Christian Heritage Week observance will be celebrated in communities across our State and Nation; throughout the history of our country, Americans have invoked the tenets of their faith to sustain them in all areas of their lives; this occasion offers citizens the opportunity to join in recognizing the enduring moral values and religious principles upon which many of our Nation’s founders looked for guidance; and

WHEREAS, as citizens who historically shared a board consensus of religiously inspired values and an enduring belief in religious freedom, this observance is testimony to an increased acknowledgement of the long and venerable role that Christianity has in the history of our country; it also underscores the well-documented foundational influence of the Christian heritage upon many great men and women, whose eminent names are emblazoned upon the illustrious pages of American history; and

WHEREAS, inspired by the fervent words of many of our national leaders and other renowned individuals who have helped advance the course of growth and progress of America, the sponsors of Christian Heritage Week encourage a special focus on youth-oriented activities to increase awareness and appreciation among young people of the strong historical foundations and religious ideals upon which our Nation was founded: and

WHEREAS, it is fitting that the Fifth Annual Christian Heritage Week observance be recognized for highlighting the historical and social significance of Christianity in our Nation’s past and present, as many of our citizens give expression to their religious faith and heritage;

NOW, THEREFORE, I George E. Pataki, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby recognize May 7-13, 2000 as

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK

in the Empire State.

 George E. Pataki

  Governor

Michigan 2000

State of Michigan

EXECUTIVE DECLARATION

Governor John Engler

Hereby Issues this Executive Declaration

In Observance of

November 19 – 25, 2000

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 19 – 25, 2000, 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 thirteenth day of November in the year of our Lord two thousand and of the Commonwealth one hundred and sixty-three.

JAMES ENGLER

Governor

West Virginia 2000 (month)

Proclamation

By Governor Cecil H. Underwood

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,  the Declaration of Independence declares that our citizens are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights to “ … Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”; and,

WHEREAS,  the West Virginia Legislature opens each daily session with a prayer to Almighty God; and,

WHEREAS, West Virginians are a people grounded in faith and family, and our fundamental values have produced citizens with a strong sense of history, a fundamental commitment to our communities, a consistent desire to help others and a deep respect for the law; and,

WHEREAS, steadfast faith sustained our Mountaineer forefathers during years of hardship, suffering and isolation; 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;

Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved that I, Cecil H. Underwood, Governor of the State of West Virginia, do hereby proclaim April 2000, as Christian Heritage Month in West Virginia and encourage all citizens to acknowledge, appreciate and celebrate each in their own way 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 Thirty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand , and in the One Hundred Thirty-seventh year of the State.

Cecil H. Underwood

Governor

By the Governor

Ken Hechler

Secretary of State

West Virginia 2000 (week)

Proclamation

By Governor Cecil H. Underwood

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,  the Constitution of West Virginia guarantees religious freedom of religious speech and worship  to all citizens; and,

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

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

WHEREAS, the week of Thanksgiving  is an appropriate time to center attention on our thanks to Almighty God for His great and good Providence and for the Christian faith, which is part of West Virginia’s and America’s history;

Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved that I, Cecil H. Underwood, Governor of the State of West Virginia, do hereby proclaim November 19-25, 2000, as Christian Heritage Week in the Mountain State and encourage all citizens to acknowledge, appreciate and celebrate each in their own way the heritage of our great state 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 Twenty-first day of June, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand , and in the One Hundred Thirty-eighth year of the State.

Cecil H. Underwood

Governor

By the Governor

Ken Hechler

Secretary of State

New Jersey 2000

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

Proclamation

WHEREAS, during 2000, we reflect on the goals set forth in past years to understand our Christian Heritage and to re-establish our original freedom of religious concepts; and

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State of New Jersey states that, “We the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which he hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations, do ordain and establish this Constitution”; and

WHEREAS, George Washington stated, “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, 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, these, and many other truly great men and women of America, giants in the structuring American history, were Christian statesmen of caliber and integrity who did not hesitate to express their faith;

NOW, THEREFORE, I CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN, Governor of the State of New Jersey, do hereby proclaim

SEPTEMBER 3 to SEPTEMBER 9, 2000

As

 CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK

in New Jersey.

GIVEN, under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of New Jersey, this twenty-third day of June in the year of Our Lord two thousand and of the Independence of the United States, the two hundred and twenty-fourth.

Christine Whitman

Governor

BY THE GOVERNOR:

DeFOREST B. SOARIES, JR.,

SECRETARY OF STATE

Nebraska 2000

STATE OF NEBRASKA

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS,      The Preamble to the Constitution of the State of Nebraska states that “We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, do ordain and establish the following declaration of rights and frame of government;” 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 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,      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, Mike Johanns, Governor of the State of Nebraska, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM the week of November 19th through the 25th, 2000, as CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in Nebraska, and I do hereby urge all citizens to take due note of the observance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and cuase the Great Seal of the State of Nebraska to be affixed this Twenty-Seventh day of July, in the year of our Lord Two Thousand.

Mike Johanns

Governor

Scott Moore

Secretary of State

Gold Beach, Oregon 1999

PROCLAMATION

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, Marlyn Schafer, Mayor of the City of Gold Beach,

Hereby proclaim

APRIL, 1999

AS

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE MONTH

In the City of Gold Beach and encourage all residents to join in this observance.

PROCLAIMED THIS 15THDAY OF APRIL, 1999, BY MAYOR SCHAFER, FOR THE CITY OF GOLD BEACH

Seal:                                                                                                   

Marlyn Schafer  

Mayor

 

ATTEST:

Dave Hagood, City Administrator

Coos Bay, Oregon 1999

Proclamation

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 benefitted from this privilege by being able to pursue Christianity as a means of developing their own faith; and

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, Joanne Verger, Mayor of the City of Coos Bay, Oregon, hereby proclaim April, 1999

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE MONTH

in Coos Bay and encourage citizens to join in this observance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and cause the Seal of the City of Coos Bay to be affixed this 6thday of April.

Joanne Verger, Mayor