STATE OF MICHIGAN,

Declaration of Special Tribute

In Commemoration of

AMERICA’S CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK

NOVEMBER 20-26, 2011

“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.”

Noah Webster, History of the United States, 1832

LET IT BE KNOWN, That, since through divine providence, we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we join together to reaffirm our faith in the Lord by honoring America’s Christian Heritage Week. This celebration of our shared Christian values allows every citizen the opportunity to come together to give thanks and be united as One Nation Under God.

America’s Christian Heritage Week traces its roots back to 1991 when the first ever statewide declaration of a Christian Heritage Week was signed by the governor of New Mexico. The following year an annual America’s Christian week resolution was introduced in the United States Congress. Since then, the week of Thanksgiving has most appropriately been celebrated as a week to give thanks for the glory of God and the good of America. Christian Heritage Week participants are committed to both organizing and taking part in a multitude of civic activities, such as educational workshops, family programs and prayer meetings to spread the importance of recognizing American’s great Christian Heritage.

Serving God and celebrating the many blessings he has bestowed upon us is a privilege. As we join together this Christian Heritage Week, we shall recognize and remind ourselves that the source of our liberties and rights is God, and not government. We shall learn about America’s founding fathers and share what is learned with others, we shall pray that skeptics will have a change of heart and we shall revel in the glory of God and the good of our nation. It is with great respect and admiration for all those who have served God and this country that we rejoice and remember America’s longstanding Christian heritage. May each and every American know of our sincere gratitude and heartfelt thanks for their unyielding commitment to our God and our nation.

IN SPECIAL TRIBUTE, Therefore, This document is signed and dedicated to commemorate the week of November 20, 2011, as America’s Christian Heritage Week in Michigan. May the citizens of Michigan never forget our long standing Christian values and the source of our many blessings.

John Pappageorge, State Senator                                           Chuck Moss, State Representative

The Thirteenth District                                                             The Fortieth District

The Ninety-Fifth Legislature

At Lansing

November 20, 2011