STATE OF OKLAHOMA

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

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, “And 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, 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 to “insure domestic Tranquility” and to recognize our national need and “unalienable Rights” in reaffirming our “reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence” for keeping our families secure, communities safe and America a “Free and Independent” “one Nation, under God”;

Now, therefore, I, Mary Fallin, Governor of the State of Oklahoma, do hereby proclaim the week of November 20^th through November 26^th, 2011 as “Christian Heritage Week” in the State of Oklahoma.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma to be affixed.

Done at the Capitol, in the City of Oklahoma City, this 19^th day of September in the Year of Our Lord two thousand and eleven and of the State of Oklahoma in the one hundred and third year.

 Mary Fallin

GOVERNOR

Michelle R. Day

Assistant SECRETARY OF STATE