[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 21]
[House]
[Pages 29642-29643]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 THE IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL BIBLE WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer a few thoughts as regarding 
the importance of National Bible Week as well. It has been thrilling to 
hear my colleagues from both sides of the aisle refer to the importance 
of Scripture, and especially encouraging to hear the distinguished 
Representative from Illinois (Mr. Rush), who represents the district I 
was born in. I appreciate the sincerity of your message this evening.
  As a pastor in a previous life myself, I can unequivocally say that 
the Bible has deeply influenced my life every day in every way. Sadly, 
I haven't followed it every day in every way. But when it has been 
followed, it has influenced to the good.
  The Bible is the best selling book of all time. It is a book that has 
touched countless numbers of lives. Along with being the main 
influence, many decisions have been made of by the billion, most 
importantly and most personally, my life and my faith in my Savior.
  In 1940, a group of business and professional leaders got together 
and founded the nonprofit, independent, educational National Bible 
Association. Their goal was to encourage Americans to read the Bible in 
every sector of society, regardless of religious or political 
distinction. Every year since 1941, the National Bible Association has 
sponsored National Bible Week as a time to remind us of the importance 
of the Bible in our daily life.
  Our Nation's traditions lie in the principles set out in the Bible. 
In 1951, an amazing book was published by the National Education 
Association and it was entitled, ``The American Citizens Handbook.'' 
The book's author and publisher said that ``This volume should be in 
every home library and on every teacher's desk. It may well be used as 
a text or reference book in the schools,'' and it was.
  In fact, in that book, it had a grade-by-grade chart that included 
the following:
  Second graders were to memorize the Lord's prayer: ``Our father, who 
art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.''
  Third graders were to memorize Psalm 23: ``The Lord is my shepherd, I 
shall not want.''
  Seventh graders were to memorize the Beatitudes: ``Blessed are the 
poor in spirit, the merciful, the hungry in spirit.''
  Ninth graders were to memorize Psalm 1, that beautiful Psalm that 
says, ``Happy is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, 
nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. 
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law he meditates 
day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of 
water, that brings forth fruit in his season. His fruit shall not 
wither.''
  Those are principles that were put forth in this book. High school 
seniors were to memorize the entire chapter of Romans 12, which begins 
by saying, ``I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God to 
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God.''
  Those were patterned after the Founders of our country. Fifty-two of

[[Page 29643]]

the 55 signers of the Declaration of Independence were deeply committed 
Christians, and the other three believed in a God who personally 
intervened in the lives of mankind. The same Continental Congress 
formed the American Bible Society, of all things, and purchased 20,000 
copies of Scripture for the people of the Nation.
  Patrick Henry's famous ``give me liberty or give me death'' speech 
actually came at the end of this statement, where he said, ``An appeal 
to arms and the God of hosts is all that is left us. But we shall not 
fight our battle alone. There is a just God that presides over the 
destinies of nations. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone. Is 
life so dear or peace so sweet to be purchased at the price of chains 
and slavery? Forbid it, almighty God.'' Patrick Henry understood the 
power and the content of Scripture.
  Jonathan Whitherspoon, who was a minister and signed the Declaration 
of Independence, said ``A republic, once equally poised, must either 
preserve its virtue or lose its liberty.'' Jonathan Whitherspoon knew 
that that virtue came from the Holy Scriptures, the Bible.
  This Chamber and all the institutions of this great Republic are 
surrounded by images and phrases from Scripture. In this very Chamber 
is a portrait of Moses, the first lawgiver. The Supreme Court also 
holds several images of Moses. The south frieze prominently displays 
Moses holding Ten Commandments. In the Library of Congress stands a 
large statue of Moses alongside a statue of the Apostle Paul. The Great 
Reading Room of the Library is filled with Scriptures.
  So today, to be able to stand here in the Halls of Congress and to 
call attention to the impact of Biblical authority, what a great 
opportunity that is. I thank the God of Scripture for that opportunity, 
and I thank my colleagues for bringing this to the floor tonight.

                          ____________________