[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 483 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 483

    Recognizing the first weekend of May 2008 as ``Ten Commandments 
                               Weekend''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 13, 2008

 Mr. Brownback (for himself and Mr. Lieberman) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Recognizing the first weekend of May 2008 as ``Ten Commandments 
                               Weekend''.

Whereas the Ten Commandments are precepts foundational to the faith of millions 
        of Americans;
Whereas the Ten Commandments are a declaration of fundamental principles for a 
        fair and just society;
Whereas, from the founding of the United States, the Ten Commandments have been 
        part of America's basic cultural fabric;
Whereas the national hero and first President, George Washington, proclaimed in 
        his first inaugural address in 1789: ``[I]t would be peculiarly improper 
        to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that 
        Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils 
        of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, 
        that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and the happiness 
        of the people of the United States a government instituted by themselves 
        for these essential purposes, and may enable every instrument employed 
        in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to 
        his charge.'';
Whereas one of the great leaders of the United States, President John Quincy 
        Adams, declared in a letter to his son, ``The law given from Sinai was a 
        civil and municipal as well as a moral and religious code . . . [many] 
        were of universal application--laws essential to the existence of men in 
        society, and most of which have been enacted by every nation, which ever 
        professed any code of laws.'';
Whereas President Harry S. Truman affirmed, ``The fundamental basis of this 
        Nation's law was given to Moses on the Mount. The fundamental basis of 
        our Bill of Rights comes from the teachings which we get from Exodus and 
        St. Matthew, from Isaiah and St. Paul. I don't think we emphasize that 
        enough these days. If we don't have the proper fundamental moral 
        background, we will finally wind up with a totalitarian government which 
        does not believe in rights for anybody except the state.'';
Whereas, in addition to being understood as an elemental source for American 
        law, the Ten Commandments have become a recognized symbol of law in our 
        Nation's culture;
Whereas a marble relief portrait of Moses, the Hebrew prophet and bearer of the 
        Ten Commandments, is located prominently in the United States Capitol 
        over the gallery doors of the chamber of the House of Representatives in 
        honor of his work in establishing the principles that underlie American 
        law;
Whereas images of the Ten Commandments are prominently displayed in many Federal 
        buildings, including the United States Supreme Court, the National 
        Archives, and the Library of Congress; and
Whereas the first weekends of May in 2006 and 2007 were celebrated by many 
        Americans as ``Ten Commandments Weekend'' in recognition of the 
        importance of the Ten Commandments in their faith and the history and 
        culture of the United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the first weekend of May 2008 as ``Ten 
        Commandments Weekend'';
            (2) celebrates the Ten Commandments as a significant aspect 
        of the national life of the United States; and
            (3) encourages citizens of the United States to reflect on 
        the integral role that the Ten Commandments have played in the 
        life of the Nation.
                                 <all>