By Delisi H.C.R. No. 39 75R4158 JHS-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, May 1, 1997, has been designated the National Day of 1-2 Prayer, and Texans everywhere are encouraged to acknowledge the 1-3 deep spiritual significance of this momentous occasion; and 1-4 WHEREAS, The National Day of Prayer dates back to its 1-5 inception by the Continental Congress in 1775, and the 1-6 establishment of this long-standing tradition is based on the 1-7 important role faith plays in the lives of many Americans; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Our heritage as citizens of this nation is rooted in 1-9 the desire for personal and religious freedom, and many of our 1-10 ancestors risked their lives to journey to this once-distant land 1-11 in search of these freedoms; indeed, the First Amendment of our 1-12 constitution outlines these inalienable rights, and much of the 1-13 language of this great document recalls our forebears' monumental 1-14 quest; and 1-15 WHEREAS, In 1988, legislation setting aside the first 1-16 Thursday in May of each year as a National Day of Prayer was passed 1-17 unanimously by both houses of Congress; this annual event provides 1-18 an opportunity for Americans representing all faiths and creeds to 1-19 join together in prayer to offer thanks for our many blessings and 1-20 to ask for the strength to uphold the rights and privileges that 1-21 have been granted us; and 1-22 WHEREAS, In these demanding and difficult times, it is a 1-23 great comfort to have an event that focuses on the positive rather 1-24 than the negative, creating a setting where friends and neighbors 2-1 can unite to promote increased hope, faith, and understanding 2-2 within their community and to face together the many challenges 2-3 that lie ahead; now, therefore, be it 2-4 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-5 hereby recognize May 1, 1997, as the official National Day of 2-6 Prayer and encourage all Texans to participate in this meaningful 2-7 spiritual event.