STATE OF ALABAMA

PROCLAMATION

BY THE GOVERNOR

WHEREAS, the Preamble to the State Constitution says, “We, the people of the State of Alabama, in order to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and to our posterity, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution and form of government for the State of Alabama;” and

WHEREAS, Benjamin Franklin, at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 said, “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, Patrick Henry quoted Proverbs 14:34 for our nation: Righteousness alone can exalt a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people;” 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, these and many other 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, Jim Folsom, Governor of the State of Alabama, do hereby proclaim, November 21-27, 1993, as

Christian Heritage Week

in Alabama.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND, and the Great Seal of the Governor’s Office at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on this the 13^th day of August, 1993.

JIM FOLSOM