[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 19435-19436]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



        SEPTEMBER 26, A NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, on this day, September 26, 1780, 220 years 
ago, the treason attempt of American General Benedict Arnold was 
discovered. General Washington reported to Congress, ``Treason of the 
blackest dye was yesterday discovered. General Arnold, who commanded at 
West Point, was about to deliver up that important post into the hands 
of the enemy. Such an event

[[Page 19436]]

must have given the American cause a deadly wound if not a fatal stab. 
Happily, the treason has been timely discovered to prevent the fatal 
misfortune. The providential train of circumstances which led to it 
affords the most convincing proof that the liberties of America are the 
object of Divine protection.''
  As a result, Congress called for a national day of prayer and 
thanksgiving, declaring in the resolution, ``It hath pleased Almighty 
God, the Father of all mercies, to rescue the person of our Commander-
in-Chief and the army from imminent dangers at the moment when treason 
was ripened for execution. It is therefore recommended to the several 
States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer.''
  On this day, 220 years ago, Congress called on the people of the 
United States to openly thank God for protecting America, a lesson we 
should still remember today.

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