Proclamation

By Governor Bob Wise

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 Bill of Rights to the Constitution of West Virginia guarantees religious freedom of religious speech and worship  to all citizens, and Article 7 Chapter 14 recognizes Sunday as a day of rest and worship; and,

WHEREAS,  for many West Virginians, public school days once began with a daily Pledge of Allegiance, prayer and Bible reading; and,

WHEREAS, the state songs, The West Virginia Hills and West Virginia My Home Sweet Home, contain the lyrics, “With their summits bathed in glory, like our Prince Immanuel’s land!”; and,

WHEREAS,  the influence of Christianity in West Virginia is evident by her many churches and Christian charities, ministries, missions and schools; cherished Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving holiday seasons; and a willingness of Mountaineers to love thy neighbor as thyself; and,

WHEREAS, Thanksgiving week 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, Bob Wise, Governor of the Great State of West Virginia, do hereby proclaim November 21-27, 2004, 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 Seventh day of February, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand Four, and in the One Hundred Forty-first year of the State.

Bob Wise

Governor

By the Governor:

Joe Manchin III

Secretary of State