PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, the week of Thanksgiving marks the twenty-second consecutive Christian

Heritage Week in West Virginia observance; thus continuing a tradition of annual proclamations

beginning with Governor Gaston Caperton in 1992 through 1996 and continued by Governor

Cecil Underwood from 1997 to 2000, Governor Bob Wise from 2001 through 2004, Governor

 Joe Manchin from 2005 through 2010, and Governor Earl Ray Tomblin in 2011 and 2013; and

WHEREAS, for many West Virginians, public school days once began with a daily

Pledge of Allegiance, prayer, and Bible readings; and

WHEREAS, local churches are asked to participate with relevant Sunday School

lessons, sermons, patriotic song services, youth programs, and prayer meetings.

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 “There I work, and I play, and I worship Sunday”; and

WHEREAS, the influence of Christianity in West Virginia is evident by her many

churches and Christian entities, ministries, missions, and schools; cherished Christmas, Easter,

and Thanksgiving holiday seasons; and a willingness of Mountaineers to love they neighbor as

thyself.

NOW, THEREFORE, I Emmett S. Pugh III, Mayor of the City of Beckley, do hereby

proclaim November 24-30, 2013 as

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK

in the City of Beckley and invite all citizens to join in this local event each in their own way.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City

of Beckley to be affixed this 24^th day of November 2013.

Emmett S. Pugh III, MAYOR

 CITY OF BECKLEY