[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22778]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL BIBLE WEEK

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                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2002

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I am honored and pleased to serve as 
Congressional Co-Chair for National Bible Week, November 24-December 1, 
2002. National Bible Week has been an annual observance in this country 
since 1941. When the nation turned to the Holy Bible for strength, 
comfort, and guidance. On September 11, 2001, when terrorists destroyed 
the World Trade Center Towers in New York and attacked the Pentagon, 
another ``day of infamy'' took place in our nation's history. President 
Bush immediately called Americans to prayer, saying, ``Our purpose as a 
nation is firm, yet our wounds as a people are recent and unhealed and 
lead us to pray. . . . We ask almighty God to watch over our nation.'' 
I strongly believe that one contribution every American can make in 
these troubling times is to pray for our nation, its leaders, and its 
people.
  National Bible Week is celebrated every year from Sunday to Sunday 
during the week of Thanksgiving. It is a time of prayer, a time to 
confirm our values and a time to strengthen national resolve. As we 
gather at our dinner tables in remembrance, let us be thankful to be 
living in a country where our Constitution guarantees freedom of 
worship. I commend the National Bible Association for its leadership in 
promoting this worthy endeavor.

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