[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 73 (Friday, April 15, 1994)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 18287-18288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-9332]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 15, 1994]


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Part V





The President





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Proclamation 6668--
National Day of Prayer, 1994

Proclamation 6669--251st Anniversary of the Birth of Thomas Jefferson


                        Presidential Documents 


Federal Register
Vol. 59, No. 73
Friday, April 15, 1994

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Title 3--
The President
                Proclamation 6668 of April 12, 1994

 
National Day of Prayer, 1994

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                In a country built by people from hundreds of nations 
                and with as many beliefs, we rely upon our religious 
                liberty in order to preserve the individuality and 
                great diversity that give our Nation its unique 
                richness and strength of character. America's founders 
                saw the urgent need to protect religious freedom and 
                opened debate on the important subject when the 
                Continental Congress gathered in Philadelphia to chart 
                a course for our nascent country. After hearing 
                Massachusetts delegate Samuel Adams' plea, the Congress 
                voted to begin its session with a prayer. When the 
                framers of the Bill of Rights set down our fundamental 
                rights, the free exercise of religion rightfully took 
                its place at the head of our enumerated liberties.

                As our Nation has grown and flourished, our Government 
                has welcomed divine guidance in its work, while 
                respecting the rich and varied faiths of all of its 
                citizens. Many of our greatest leaders have asked God's 
                favor in public and private prayer. From patriots and 
                presidents to advocates for justice, our history 
                reflects the strong presence of prayer in American 
                life. Presidents, above all, need the power of prayer, 
                their own and that of all Americans.

                We need not shrink as Americans from asking for divine 
                assistance in our continuing efforts to relieve human 
                suffering at home and abroad, to reduce hatred, 
                violence, and abuse, and to restore families across our 
                land. By following our own beliefs while respecting the 
                convictions of others, we can strengthen our people and 
                rebuild our Nation. As Micah reminds us, we must strive 
                ``to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly'' 
                before God.

                The Congress, by joint resolution approved April 17, 
                1952, having recognized the role of faith and prayer in 
                the lives of the American people throughout our 
                history, has set aside a day each year as a ``National 
                Day of Prayer.'' Since that time, each President has 
                proclaimed an annual National Day of Prayer, resuming 
                the tradition begun by our leaders in the Nation's 
                earliest days. Pursuant to Public Law 100-307 of May 5, 
                1988, the first Thursday of each May has been set aside 
                as a National Day of Prayer.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 5, 
                1994, as a National Day of Prayer. I encourage the 
                citizens of this great Nation to gather, each in his or 
                her own manner, to recognize our blessings, acknowledge 
                our wrongs, to remember the needy, to seek guidance for 
                our challenging future, and to give thanks for the 
                abundance we have enjoyed throughout our history.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twelfth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen 
                hundred and ninety-four, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and 
                eighteenth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)>

[FR Doc. 94-9332
Filed 4-14-94; 9:32 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P