PRINTER'S NO. 1028
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
86
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY HAMM, FLICK, ROSSI, LEADBETER, M. MACKENZIE AND
KAUFFMAN, APRIL 25, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, APRIL 25, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of April 2023 as "Faith Month" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, The United States was born of the unanimous
declaration that we are "endowed by [our] Creator with certain
unalienable Rights," based on "the Laws of Nature and of
Nature's God," "appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world,"
and acknowledging our "reliance on the protection of divine
Providence"; and
WHEREAS, Religious freedom is known as America's first
freedom, as laid out in the Establishment Clause and the Free
Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution of
the United States; and
WHEREAS, The freedom of speech guaranteed by the First
Amendment to the Constitution of the United States also supports
America's unique focus on freedom of expression, including in
matters of faith; and
WHEREAS, The motto "In God We Trust" further emphasizes the
importance of faith in this nation's founding; and
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WHEREAS, From our first president to our current president,
we have acknowledged America's faith; and
WHEREAS, President George Washington recognized "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 and favor"; and
WHEREAS, President Joseph Biden recently acknowledged
Thanksgiving as a "time to reflect on our many blessings from
God, this Nation, and each other"; and
WHEREAS, America's Judeo-Christian founding promotes
religious diversity and tolerance; and
WHEREAS, Eternal diligence is needed to preserve religious
freedom; and
WHEREAS, Attacks on religious liberty and people and faith
continue to plague this nation, with some religious charities
even being forced to betray the tenets of their faith in order
to participate in certain government programs; and
WHEREAS, Religious organizations in America have a rich
history of charitable engagement helping the sick, poor and
afflicted; and
WHEREAS, Many seek to criminalize religious beliefs in
certain controversial areas; and
WHEREAS, The fundamental right to freedom of religion has
resonated throughout the unique history of this Commonwealth;
and
WHEREAS, William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania and one of the
first champions of expressive freedoms in the American colonies,
demonstrated how a free society could work and how individuals
of different races and religions could live together in liberty
and peace; and
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WHEREAS, The principles of freedom that William Penn promoted
and adopted helped lay the framework for the First Amendment to
the Constitution of the United States; and
WHEREAS, Sections 3 and 4 of Article I of the Constitution of
Pennsylvania guarantee religious freedom and the liberty of
conscience within this Commonwealth; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of April 2023 as "Faith Month" in Pennsylvania as a way to
reaffirm the commitment to the religious liberty principles of
our country and this Commonwealth's founding; and be it further
RESOLVED, That Pennsylvanians celebrate their faiths freely
and openly, with public displays and celebrations, including
prayer and expressions of thanksgiving during the month of
April.
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