[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 43 (Thursday, March 13, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S2164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 483--RECOGNIZING THE FIRST WEEKEND OF MAY 2008 AS 
                      ``TEN COMMANDMENTS WEEKEND''

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

                              S. Res. 483

       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;
       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.

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