State: Mississippi

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

Office of the governor

A Proclamation

By

Governor Ronnie Musgrove

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State of Mississippi states that “We the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work, do ordain and establish this Constitution…no preference shall be given by law to any religious sect or mode of worship; but the free enjoyment of all religious sentiments and the different modes of worship shall be held sacred. The rights hereby secured shall not be construed to justify acts of licentiousness injurious to morals or dangerous to the peace and safety of the State, or to exclude the Holy Bible from use in any public school of this State”; and

WHEREAS, Benjamin Franklin, at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 stated: “It is impossible to build an empire without our Father’s aid. I believe the sacred writings which say that “Except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build It” (Psalms 127:1); and

WHEREAS, George Washington enunciated; “animated alone by the pure spirit of Christianity, and conducting ourselves as the faithful subjects of our free government, we may enjoy every temporal and spiritual felicity;” and

WHEREAS, Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, wrote “Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed the conviction that these liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed the conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?” and

WHEREAS, James Madison, father of the U.S. Constitution, advocated “the diffusion of the light of Christianity in our nation” in his Memorial and Remonstrance; and

WHEREAS, Patrick Henry quoted Proverbs 14:34 for our nation: “Righteousness alone can exalt a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people; and

WHEREAS, George Mason, in his Virginia Declaration of Rights, forerunner to our U.S. Bill of Rights, affirmed: “That is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love and charity towards each other;” and

WHEREAS, these, and many other truly great men and women of America, giants in the structuring of American history, were Christian statesmen of caliber and integrity who did not hesitate [t]no express their faith:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ronnie Musgrove, Governor of the State of Mississippi, hereby proclaim November 23-29, 2003, CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in the State of Mississippi.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Mississippi to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Jackson, October 5, 2003, in the two hundred and twenty-seventh year of the United States of America.

RONNIE MUSGROVE

GOVERNOR

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

Office of the Governor

A Proclamation

By

Governor Ronnie Musgrove

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State of Mississippi states what “We the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work, do ordain and establish this Constitution…no preference shall be given by law to any religious sect or mode of worship; rights hereby secured shall not be construed to justify acts of licentiousness injurious to morals or dangerous to the peace and safety of the State, or to exclude the Holy Bible from use in any public school of this State;” and

WHEREAS, Benjamin Franklin, at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 stated: “It is impossible to build an empire with out our Father’s aid. I believe the sacred writing which say that. ‘Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it’” (Psalm 127:1); and

WHEREAS, George Washington enunciated: “animated alone by the pure spirit of Christianity, and conducting ourselves as the faithful subjects of our free government, we may enjoy every temporal and spiritual felicity;” and

WHEREAS, Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, wrote: “Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed the conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?” and

WHEREAS, James Madison, father of the U.S. Constitution, advocated “the diffusion of the light of Christianity in our nation” in his Memorial and Remonstrance; and

WHEREAS, Patrick Henry quoted Proverbs 14:34 for our nation: “Righteousness alone can exalt a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people;” and

WHEREAS, George Mason, in his Virginia Declaration of Rights, forerunner to our U.S. Bill of Rights, affirmed: “That it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love and charity towards each other,” and

WHEREAS, these, and many other truly great men and women of America, giants in the structuring of American history, were Christian statesman of caliber and integrtity who did not hesitate to express their faith,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ronnie Musgrove, Governor of the State of Mississippi, hereby proclaim October 7-13, 2001 as Mississippi’s 8^thannual

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK

IN WITNESSS WHEREOF, I have

hereunto set my hand and caused the

Great Seal of the State of Mississippi

to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Jackson,

August 20, 2001, in the two hundred

and twenty-fourth year of the United

States of America.

Ronnie Musgrove

Governor

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

Office of the Governor

A Proclamation

by

Governor Ronnie Musgrove 

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State of Mississippi recognizes that the people of Mississippi are “grateful to Almighty God” while acknowledging that in a nation founded on freedom “no preference shall be given by law to any religious sect or mode of worship; but the free enjoyment of all religious sentiments and the different modes of worship shall be held sacred;” and

WHEREAS, many of our nation’s founders acknowledged the significance of the Christian religion in their lives and its importance upon the actions they took to establish our national government; and

WHEREAS, all our nation’s founders were shaped by their Christian ethics and heritage and the beliefs and teachings of Christianity; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting to acknowledge the religious and spiritual beliefs and influences that, at one significant point in history produced and influenced our nation’s founders; and

WHEREAS, a knowledge and understanding of these influences will give us a deeper appreciation of our nation’s unique role and example to the world; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I Ronnie Musgrove, Governor of the State of Mississippi, hereby proclaim October 1-7, 2000 as Mississippi’s Seventh Annual

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK

in the State of Mississippi and urge our citizens to reflect on Christianity’s important influences in the founding and life of our state and nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Mississippi to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Jackson, June 22, 2000, in the two hundred and twenty-fourth year of the United States of America.

RONNIE MUSGROVE

GOVERNOR

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

Office of the Governor

A Proclamation

By

Governor Kirk Fordice

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State of Mississippi states that “We the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work, do ordain and establish this Constitution…no preference shall be given by law to any religious sect or mode of worship; but the free enjoyment of all religious sentiments and the different modes of worship shall be held sacred. The rights hereby secured shall not be construed to justify acts of licentiousness injurious to morals or dangerous to the peace and safety of the State, or to exclude the Holy Bible from use in any public school of this State”; and

WHEREAS, Benjamin Franklin, at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 stated: “It is impossible to build an empire without our Father’s aid. I believe the sacred writings which say that “Except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build It” (Psalms 127:1); and

WHEREAS, George Washington enunciated; “Animated alone by the pure spirit of Christianity, and conducting ourselves as the faithful subjects of our free government, we may enjoy every temporal and spiritual felicity;” and

WHEREAS, Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, wrote “Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed the conviction that these liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed the conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?” and

WHEREAS, James Madison, father of the U.S. Constitution, advocated “the diffusion of the light of Christianity in our nation” in his Memorial and Remonstrance; and

WHEREAS, Patrick Henry quoted Proverbs 14:34 for our nation: “Righteousness alone can exalt a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people; and

WHEREAS, George Mason, in his Virginia Declaration of Rights, forerunner to our U.S. Bill of Rights, affirmed: “That is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love and charity towards each other;” and

WHEREAS, these, and many other truly great men and women of America, giants in the structuring of American history, were Christian statesmen of caliber and integrity who did not hesitate to express their faith:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kirk Fordice, Governor of the State of Mississippi, hereby proclaim November 21-27, 1999,  CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in the State of Mississippi.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Mississippi to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Jackson, September 10, 1999,  in the two hundred and twenty-third year of the United States of America.

KIRK FORDICE

  GOVERNOR

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

Office of the Governor

A Proclamation

By

Governor Kirk Fordice

Whereas, John Adams wrote, “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were . . . the general principles of Christianity”; and

Whereas, Noah Webster taught, “The religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His Apostles . . . This is genuine Christianity and to this we owe our free constitutions of government”; and

Whereas, Thomas Jefferson warned, “Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God?”; and

Whereas, James Madison proclaimed, “And to the same Divine Author of every good and perfect gift we are indebted for all those privileges and advantages, religious as well as civil, which are so richly enjoyed in this favored land”; and

Whereas, Benjamin Rush encouraged, “Let the children . . . be carefully instructed in the principles and obligations of the Christian religion. This is the most essential part of education”; and

Whereas, George Washington exhorted, “We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation which disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained”; and

Whereas, commemorating America’s Christian heritage provides an opportunity for us to thank God for His “Blessings of Liberty,” to ask His help in reinsuring “domestic Tranquility,” and to recognize our national need to reaffirm our “reliance on the protection of divine Providence” in keeping America a “Free and Independent” nation:

Now, therefore, I, Kirk Fordice, Governor of the State of Mississippi, hereby proclaim November 22-28, 1998, AMERICA’S CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in the State of Mississippi.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Mississippi to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Jackson, February 25, 1998,  in the two hundred and twenty-second year of the United States of America.

 KIRK FORDICE

 GOVERNOR

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

Office of the Governor

A Proclamation

By

Governor Kirk Fordice

Whereas, the State of Mississippi is richly blessed with natural beauty and natural resources reflecting God’s miracle of Creation; and

Whereas, the Declaration of Independence declares that our citizens are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”; and

Whereas, strength of character and steadfast faith sustain our State’s citizens through difficult times; and

Whereas, Thanksgiving week is an appropriate time to give thanks to Almighty God for His great and good Providence and for the Christian Faith, which is a foundation of American history:

Now, therefore, I, Kirk Fordice, Governor of the State of Mississippi, hereby proclaim November 23-29, 1997, AMERICA’S CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in the State of Mississippi.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Mississippi to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Jackson, August 29, 1997, in the two hundred and twenty-second year of the United States of America.

 KIRK FORDICE

 GOVERNOR

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

Office of the Governor

A Proclamation

By

Governor Kirk Fordice

Whereas, the State of Mississippi is richly blessed in natural beauty and superb resources, reflecting God’s miracle of creation; and

Whereas, the writings of the Founding Fathers of this nation, as well as the writings and speeches of those who have led our nation in times of war and of peace, clearly demonstrate a consistent and fervent belief in God and in the blessings that accrue from Christian beliefs and ideals; and

Whereas, the Declaration of Independence declares: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” and the Declaration of Independence closes: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor”; and

Whereas, it has been noted that in his farewell address, George Washington advised: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.” And, John Quincy Adams observed, “The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: It connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity” (Letter from Plymouth Rock, September 1990); and

Whereas, it is fitting that we recognize the supreme importance our Founding Fathers placed upon Christianity, as well as the central role this ancient religion has played in the history of our nation and world; and

Whereas, the bible tells us, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (II Chronicles 7:14):

Now, therefore, I, Kirk Fordice, Governor of the State of Mississippi, hereby proclaim the week of Thanksgiving, November 19 through November 25, 1995, AMERICA’S CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in the State of Mississippi and encourage our citizens to partake and participate in this time of joy with appropriate celebrations, ceremonies, and prayer. May God bless this state, and may God bless the United States of America.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Mississippi to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Jackson, November 16, 1995, in the two hundred and twentieth year of the United States of America.

 KIRK FORDICE

 GOVERNOR

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

Office of the Governor

A Proclamation

By

Governor Kirk Fordice

Whereas, in 1995, we again reflect on the goals set forth in past years to understand and recapture our Christian Heritage and to reestablish our original freedom of religious concepts; and

Whereas, the Constitution of the State of Mississippi states: “We the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work, do ordain and establish this Constitution…no preference shall be given by law to any religious sect or mode of worship; but the free enjoyment of all religious sentiments and the different modes of worship shall be held sacred. The rights hereby secured shall not be construed to justify acts of licentiousness injurious to morals or dangerous to the peace and safety of the State, or to exclude the Holy Bible from use in any public school of this State”; and

Whereas, we are reminded of the words of James Madison who in 1778 stated, “We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future…upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to sustain ourselves, according to the Ten Commandments of God”; and

Whereas, George Washington stated, “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, aid, and favors”; and

Whereas, let us now refrain from excluding from our teachings, our textbooks and our thoughts the importance of religious values and activities in America’s private, public, and political life; and

Whereas, may we also remember the words in the Declaration of Independence, when the Framers noted, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor”

Now, therefore, I, Kirk Fordice, Governor of the State of Mississippi, hereby proclaim Thanksgiving Week, November 19 through November 25, 1995, CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in the State of Mississippi and encourage our citizens to join in remembering that individual faith is the power that inspires men of goodwill to lay foundations and to pursue noble goals for themselves and for their country. God bless the citizens of the State of Mississippi, and God bless the United States of America.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Mississippi to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Jackson, April 13, 1995, in the two hundred and nineteenth year of the United States of America.

 KIRK FORDICE

 GOVERNOR

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

Office of the Governor

KIRK FORDICE

Whereas, in 1994, we again reflect on the goals set forth in past years to understand and recapture our Christian Heritage and to reestablish our original freedom of religious concepts; and

Whereas, we are reminded of the words of James Madison who in 1778 said, “We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future…upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to sustain ourselves, according to the Ten Commandments of God”; and

Whereas, James Madison also advocated, “The diffusion of the light of Christianity in our nation” in his Memorial and Remonstrance; and

Whereas, let us now refrain from excluding from our teachings, our textbooks and our thoughts the importance of religious values and activities in America’s private, public and political life; and

Whereas, may we also remember the words in the Declaration of Independence when the Framers noted, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor”:

Now, therefore, I, Kirk Fordice, Governor of the State of Mississippi, hereby proclaim November 20 through November 26, 1994, CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in the State of Mississippi and encourage our citizens to join in remembering that individual faith if the power that inspires men of goodwill to lay foundations and to pursue noble goals for themselves and their country.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Mississippi to be affixed.

DONE at the Capitol in the City of Jackson, August 24, 1994, in the two hundred and nineteenth year of the United States of America.

 KIRK FORDICE

 GOVERNOR

BY THE GOVERNOR

DICK MOLPUS

SECRETARY OF STATE

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

Office of the Governor

KIRK FORDICE

Whereas, in 1993, we again reflect on the goals set forth in past years to understand and recapture our Christian Heritage and to reestablish our original freedom of religious concepts; and

Whereas, we are reminded of the words of James Madison who in 1778 said, “We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future…upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to sustain ourselves, according to the Ten Commandments of God”; and

Whereas, let us refrain from excluding from our teachings, our textbooks and our thoughts the importance of religious values and activities in America’s private, public and political life; and

Whereas, may we also remember the words in the Declaration of Independence when the Framers noted, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor”:

Now, therefore, I, Kirk Fordice, Governor of the State of Mississippi, hereby proclaim November 21 through November 27, 1993, CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in the State of Mississippi and encourage our citizens to join in remembering that individual faith if the power that inspires men of goodwill to lay foundations and to pursue noble goals for themselves and their country.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Mississippi to be affixed.

DONE at the Capitol in the City of Jackson, this 23^rd day of August in the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred and  ninety-three, and of the Independence of  the United States of America, the two hundred and eighteenth.

KIRK FORDICE

GOVERNOR

BY THE GOVERNOR

DICK MOLPUS

SECRETARY OF STATE