HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, Civic prayers and national days of prayer have a 1-2 long and venerable history in our constitutional republic, dating 1-3 back to the First Continental Congress in 1774; and 1-4 WHEREAS, The Declaration of Independence, our first statement 1-5 as Americans of national purpose and identity, made the "Laws of 1-6 Nature and Nature's God" the foundation of our United States of 1-7 America and asserted that people have inalienable rights that are 1-8 God-given; and 1-9 WHEREAS, The United States Supreme Court has affirmed the 1-10 right of state legislatures to open their sessions with prayer and 1-11 the supreme court and the United States Congress begin each day 1-12 with prayer; and 1-13 WHEREAS, In 1988, legislation setting aside the first 1-14 Thursday in May in each year as the National Day of Prayer was 1-15 passed unanimously by both houses of congress and signed by 1-16 President Ronald Reagan; and 1-17 WHEREAS, The National Day of Prayer is an opportunity for 1-18 Americans of all faiths to join in united prayer to acknowledge our 1-19 dependence on God, to give thanks for blessings received, to 1-20 request healing for wounds endured, and to ask God to guide our 1-21 leaders; and 1-22 WHEREAS, It is fitting and proper to observe a day of prayer 1-23 in Texas when all may acknowledge our blessings and express 1-24 gratitude for them; now, therefore, be it 2-1 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-2 hereby designate the first Thursday of May 1999 as "A Day of Prayer 2-3 in Texas" and encourage the citizens of Texas to observe the day in 2-4 ways appropriate to its importance and significance. Denny _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 115 was adopted by the House on April 16, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 115 was adopted by the Senate on May 6, 1999, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor