[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 59 (Monday, April 4, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E348]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CELEBRATING APRIL AS FAITH MONTH

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                          HON. MARY E. MILLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 4, 2022

  Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Madam Speaker, this April Americans all over 
the country, led by Concerned Women for America, the Nation's largest 
public policy organization for women, and other faith-based 
organizations are celebrating April as Faith Month. I rise to join and 
commend this noble effort calling all people of faith to join in 
prayer, thanksgiving, and celebration of their faith.
  The United States of America was born of the unanimous Declaration 
that we are ``endowed by [our] Creator with certain unalienable 
Rights,'' based on ``the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God,'' 
``appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world,'' and acknowledging our 
``reliance on the protection of divine Providence.'' We are a people of 
faith. That is why religious freedom is known as America's first 
freedom, as laid out in the Establishment and the Free Exercise clauses 
of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The freedom 
of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment also supports America's 
unique focus on freedom of expression, including in matters of faith.
  America's Judeo-Christian founding promotes religious diversity and 
tolerance. Our motto, ``In God We Trust,'' further emphasizes the 
importance of faith in our nation's founding. From our first president 
to the last, we have always acknowledged America's faith. President 
George Washington recognized ``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; and President Joe Biden, most recently acknowledged Thanksgiving 
as a ``time to reflect on our many blessings--from God, this Nation, 
and each other.''
  Religious liberty serves to strengthen our country's appreciation of 
all peoples, regardless of faith. But eternal diligence is needed to 
preserve religious freedom. Attacks on religious liberty and people of 
faith continue to plague our nation with some religious charities even 
being forced to betray the tenets of their faith in order to 
participate in certain government programs. We must actively reject all 
efforts to criminalize or cancel religious beliefs in certain 
controversial areas as somehow incompatible with our democracy.
  Religious organizations in America have a rich history of charitable 
engagement helping the sick, poor, and afflicted, and they should be 
celebrated, not maligned for their contributions to our way of life. 
According to the Pew Research Center, more than 75 percent of Americans 
practice some type of religious faith. This rich, diverse religious 
heritage is to our credit and should be commended.
  Therefore, I join millions of Americans celebrating their personal 
faiths freely and openly, with public displays and celebrations, 
including prayer and expressions of thanksgiving, during the month of 
April, also known as ``Faith Month,'' as a way to reaffirm our 
commitment to the religious liberty principles of our founding.

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