85R4945 BK-D
By: Price H.R. No. 197
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, People across the State of Texas are observing the
66th annual National Day of Prayer on May 4, 2017; and
WHEREAS, The United States has a long-standing tradition of
public prayer dating back to the earliest days of its founding; in
1775, the Second Continental Congress ordered a day of prayer for
the fledgling nation, and during the ensuing decades and centuries,
special days of prayer were issued by state and federal elected
leaders; President Abraham Lincoln famously proclaimed a national
day of prayer and fasting in the midst of the calamitous Civil War,
calling upon citizens of the war-torn states to humble themselves
before the Almighty; and
WHEREAS, The National Day of Prayer was made an annual event
when President Harry Truman signed a joint resolution by Congress
in 1952; the permanent date was set in 1988 when President Ronald
Reagan signed the public law designating the first Thursday in May
for the observance; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the history of our nation, in times of
crisis and of calm, Americans have turned to prayer for strength,
guidance, and inspiration, and the National Day of Prayer provides
an opportunity for citizens from all walks of life to join together
on a special occasion of fellowship, unity, and hope for our common
future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize May 4, 2017, as National Day of Prayer
in Texas; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That all Texans be encouraged to set aside a
particular moment on this day to give thanks for our manifold
freedoms and blessings.