Whereas in our Declaration of Independence, the Founders
based their right to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected
them with another
on the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s
God.
They then declared, We hold these Truths to be
self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty,
and the Pursuit of Happiness.
They ended, We, therefore, the
Representatives of the United States of America, … appealing to the Supreme
Judge of the World … do, … with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine
Providence, … pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred
Honor.
The Declaration of Independence (1776);
Whereas Article VII in the U.S. Constitution refers to
the Year of Our Lord
, 1787. U.S. Const. art. VII;
Whereas the First Congress not only acknowledged a proper
role for religion in public life, but it did so at the very time it drafted the
Establishment Clause. Just three days before Congress sent the text of the
First Amendment to the States for ratification, it authorized the appointment
of legislative chaplains. Marsh v. Chambers, 463 U.S. 783, 788 (1983);
Whereas both Houses of Congress open their daily sessions
with prayer and, in recent years, recitation of the Pledge. See Senate Rule
IV.1, Standing Rules of the Senate, S. Doc. No. 107–1, at 4 (2002); House Rule
XIV.1, Constitution, Jefferson’s Manual, and Rules of the House of
Representatives, H.R. Doc. No. 106–320, at 620 (2001);
Whereas, on September 25, 1789, the First Congress
unanimously approved a resolution calling on President George Washington to
proclaim a National Day of Thanksgiving for the people of the United States by
declaring, a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by
acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the many favors of Almighty God,
especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a
constitution of government for their safety and happiness
See Wallace
v. Jaffree, 472 U.S. 38, 101 (1985) (Rehnquist, J., dissenting);
Whereas in Washington’s Proclamation of a Day of National
Thanksgiving, he wrote that it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge
the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his
benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor …
30 The
Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources 1745–1799,
at 427 (John C. Fitzpatrick ed., Gov’t Printing Office 1939);
Whereas John Adams declared in 1799, As no truth is
more clearly taught in the Volume of Inspiration, nor any more fully
demonstrated by the experience of all ages, than that a deep sense and due
acknowledgment of the governing providence of a Supreme Being and of the
Accountableness of men to Him as the searcher of heart and righteous
distributor of rewards and punishments are conducive equally to the happiness
and rectitude of individuals and to the well-being of communities … I do hereby
recommend … to be observed throughout the United States as a day of solemn
humiliation, fasting, and prayer …
9 The Works of John Adams 172
(Charles F. Adams ed., 1850–56) (reprint by Books for Librarians Press,
1969);
Whereas President James Madison, on July 9, 1812,
proclaimed that the third Thursday in August be set apart for the devout
purposes of rendering the Sovereign of the Universe and the Benefactor of
Mankind the public homage due to His holy attributes …
2 James D.
Richardson, A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents 498
(Bureau of National Literature, Inc.);
Whereas President James Madison, on March 4, 1815,
declared a day of thanksgiving and of devout acknowledgments to Almighty
God for His great goodness manifested in restoring to them the blessing of
peace. No people ought to feel greater obligations to celebrate the goodness of
the Great Disposer of Events and of the Destiny of Nations than the people of
the United States.
2 James D. Richardson, A Compilation of the Messages
and Papers of the Presidents 546 (Bureau of National Literature, Inc.);
Whereas a National Day of Prayer
is
provided for under section 119 of title 36, United States Code;
Whereas in 1952, evangelist Billy Graham led a six week
religious campaign in Washington, DC, holding events in the National Guard
Armory and on the Capitol steps;
Whereas that campaign culminated in a speech in which
Graham called for a National Day of Prayer;
Whereas, on April 17, 1952, Congress passed Public Law
82–324, providing that: The President shall set aside and proclaim a
suitable day each year, other than a Sunday, as a National Day of Prayer, on
which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation
at churches, in groups, and as individuals
;
Whereas, on April 17, 1952, President Harry S. Truman
signed that legislation into law;
Whereas, on May 5, 1988, Congress approved Public Law
100–307, setting aside the first Thursday in May as the date on which
the National Day of Prayer is celebrated
;
Whereas, on May 9, 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed
the bill into law;
Whereas the current version of the statute provides:
The President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first
Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United
States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as
individuals.
; and
Whereas all Presidents since 1952 have issued
proclamations designating the National Day of Prayer each year: Now, therefore,
be it
That it is the sense of the House of
Representatives that the National Day of Prayer is constitutional and a needed
tribute to the value of prayer and a fitting acknowledgment of our Nation’s
religious history.