P R O C L A M A T I O N

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; and the “Sundays excepted” provision of Article 7, Chapter 14 historically recognizes Sunday as a day of rest and worship; and

WHEREAS,  for many Princeton residents, public school days began with a daily Pledge of Allegiance, prayer and Bible reading; and

WHEREAS, the influence of Christianity in Princeton is evident by the many Christian churches, charities, and other ministries; the traditional Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving holiday observances; and a willingness of Princetonians to love they neighbor as thyself; and

WHEREAS, Thanksgiving week is an appropriate time to proffer our thanks to Almighty God for His great and good Providence and for the Christian faith, which is an integral part of our nation’s history; and

WHEREAS, 130 Mayors from 98 cities, towns and villages throughout West Virginia have proclaimed Christian Heritage Week since 2001.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Patricia W. Wilson by the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Princeton, do hereby proclaim November 20-26, 2011as:

Christian Heritage Week

in the City of Princeton and invite all citizens to join me in this observance and ask all churches to participate with relevant Sunday School lessons, sermons, patriotic songs, youth programs and prayer meetings.

IN WINTESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the great seal of the City of Princeton to be affixed this 14^th day of November, 2011.

Patricia W. Wilson, Mayor

Kenneth E. Clay, City Clerk