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.