Tennessee Proclamation (June 21, 1993) signed by Governor Ned McWherter declaring August 29-September 4, 1993, as "Christian Heritage Week". (A similar Proclamation was signed November 21, 1994.):
<WHEREAS, The Constitution of the State of Tennessee states that "All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety, and happiness...That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty god according to the dictates of their own conscience; that no man can of right be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship, or to maintain any minister against his consent..."; 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' (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 statesmen of calibre and integrity who did not hesitate to express their faith;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ned McWherter, as Governor of the State of Tennessee do hereby proclaim August 29 through September 4, 1993, as
"CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK"
in Tennessee and urge all citizens to join me in this worthy observance. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
Great Seal of the State of Tennessee to be affixed at Nashville on this 21st Day of June, 1993.
Ned McWherter, Governor
Riley C. Darnell, Secretary of State.> 1993TN001
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
1993TN001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Tennessee, June 21, 1993, issued an Executive Proclamation declaring August 29-September 4, 1993, as "Christian Heritage Week," signed by Governor Ned McWherter and Secretary of State Riley C. Darnell, in the Capitol City of Nashville. Similar Proclamations were signed November 21, 1994 and March 26, 1992. Courtesy of Bruce Barilla, Christian Heritage Week Ministry (P.O. Box 58, Athens, W.V. 24712; 304-384-7707, 304-384-9044 fax).