[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 121 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 121

 Encouraging the President to designate 2010 as ``The National Year of 
                              the Bible''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 7, 2009

 Mr. Broun of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Westmoreland, Mr. Forbes, Mr. 
  Pence, Mr. Gingrey of Georgia, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Jordan of 
Ohio, Mr. Wamp, Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Marchant, Mr. Carter, Mr. 
Akin, and Mr. McGovern) submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
 which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Encouraging the President to designate 2010 as ``The National Year of 
                              the Bible''.

Whereas the Bible has had a profound impact in shaping America into a great 
        Nation;
Whereas deep religious beliefs stemming from the Old and New Testament of the 
        Bible have inspired Americans from all walks of life, especially the 
        early settlers, whose faith, spiritual courage, and moral strength 
        enabled them to endure intense hardships in this new land;
Whereas many of our Presidents have recognized the importance of God and the 
        Bible, including George Washington; Franklin D. Roosevelt; Harry Truman; 
        John F. Kennedy; Ronald Reagan, who declared 1983 as ``The National Year 
        of the Bible''; and especially Abraham Lincoln, whose 200th Birthday 
        Celebration in 2009 highlighted freedom for the slaves;
Whereas shared Biblical beliefs unified the colonists and gave our early leaders 
        the wisdom to write the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution 
        of the United States, both of which recognized the inherent worth, 
        dignity, and inalienable rights of each individual, thus unifying a 
        diverse people with the right to vote, and the freedoms of speech and 
        vast religious freedoms, which inspired courageous men like Dr. Martin 
        Luther King Jr. to lead the Civil Rights Movement;
Whereas the Bible has been the world's best selling book since it was first 
        published in English in 1526, and has influenced more people than any 
        other book;
Whereas the Bible has been a cornerstone in the development of Western 
        civilization, influencing the nations in the areas of history, law, 
        politics, culture, music, literature, art, drama, and especially moral 
        philosophy;
Whereas the Bible, used as a moral guide, has inspired compassion, love for our 
        neighbor, and the preciousness of life and marriage, and has stimulated 
        many benevolent, faith-based community initiatives and neighborhood 
        partnerships that have healed and blessed our families, communities, and 
        our entire Nation, especially in times of war, tragedy, and economic and 
        social crisis;
Whereas the Bible has inspired acts of patriotism that have unified Americans, 
        commemorated through shared celebrations such as Dr. Martin Luther King 
        Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, 
        Thanksgiving, and Christmas; and
Whereas 2010 is an appropriate year to designate as ``The National Year of the 
        Bible'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the President is encouraged--
            (1) to designate an appropriate year as ``The National Year 
        of the Bible''; and
            (2) to issue a proclamation calling upon citizens of all 
        faiths to rediscover and apply the priceless, timeless message 
        of the Holy Scripture which has profoundly influenced and 
        shaped the United States and its great democratic form of 
        Government, as well as its rich spiritual heritage, and which 
        has unified, healed, and strengthened its people for over 200 
        years.
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