[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 59 (Monday, April 4, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1934-S1935]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              FAITH MONTH

  Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Madam President, Americans across 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 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

[[Page S1935]]

of faith, which 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 U.S. Constitution. The freedom of speech 
is guaranteed by the First Amendment and 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.'' More recently, President Joe Biden 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 as somehow 
incompatible with our democracy.
  Religious organizations in America have a rich history of charitable 
engagement by helping the sick, poor, and afflicted. They should be 
celebrated, not maligned for their contributions to improving 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 encouraged.
  Therefore, I join millions of Americans during this Faith Month in 
celebrating their personal faiths freely and openly, with public 
displays and celebrations, including prayer and expressions of 
thanksgiving. In this manner, we can strongly reaffirm our commitment 
to the religious liberty principles of our founding.

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