West Virginia Proclamation (June 6, 2001)signed by Governor Bob Wise declaring November 18-24, 2001, as "Christian Heritage Week":
<Whereas, the Preamble to the Constitution of West Virginia declares, "Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia...reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God..."; and,
Whereas, the Bill of Rights to the Constitution of West Virginia guarantees freedom of religious speech and worship to all citizens, and Article 7 Chapter 14 recognizes Sunday as a day of rest and worship; and,
Whereas, for many West Virginians, public school days began with a daily Pledge of Allegiance, prayer and Bible reading; and,
Whereas, the state song, The West Virginia Hills, contains the lyrics, "With their summits bathed in glory, Like our Prince Immanuel's land!"; and,
Whereas, our Christian heritage is seen daily in the character and lives of our citizens and by the many churches throughout the Mountain State; and,
Whereas, Thanksgiving week is an appropriate time to center attention on our thanks to Almighty God for His great and good Providence and for the Christian faith, which is part of West Virginia's and America's history;
Now, Therefore, Be it resolved that I, Bob Wise, Governor of the State of West Virginia, do hereby proclaim November 18-24, 2001, as:
Christian Heritage Week
in the Mountain State and encourage all citizens to acknowledge, appreciate and celebrate each in their own way the heritage of our great state where our motto is Mountaineers Are Always Free.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of West Virginia to be affixed.
Done in the Capitol City of Charleston, State of West Virginia, this Sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand One, and in the One Hundred Thirty-eighth year of the State.
Bob Wise, Governor
By the Governor: Joe Manchin III, Secretary of State> 2001WV001
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
2001WV001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). West Virginia, June 6, 2001, in an Executive Proclamation declaring November 18-November 24, 2001, as "Christian Heritage Week," signed by Governor Bob Wise and Secretary of State Joe Manchin III. Courtesy of Bruce Barilla, America's Christian Heritage Week (P.O. Box 382, White Sulphur Springs, W.V. 24986; 304-536-9029, www.achw.org).