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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Our nation's first president, George Washington, |
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delivered a moving proclamation on October 3, 1789, designating the |
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following 26th day of November as a day of thanksgiving; and |
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WHEREAS, In early America, Thanksgiving was a sporadic |
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observance at the local level, generally at harvest time; a member |
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of the House of Representatives, Elias Boudinot of Massachusetts, |
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proposed in 1789 that a general day of thanksgiving be held to thank |
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God for giving the American people the opportunity to protect their |
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hard-won freedom by establishing a Constitution; and |
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WHEREAS, A Congressional Joint Committee approved |
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Representative Boudinot's motion and informed President |
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Washington; he then proclaimed November 26 of that year as "a day of |
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public thanksgiving and prayer"; and |
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WHEREAS, President Washington opened his proclamation with |
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the words: "Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the |
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providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his |
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benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor"; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition, President Washington asked that |
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Americans unite in prayer for a government that is "a blessing to |
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all the People"; in furtherance of that noble goal, Texas elected |
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officials at all levels are encouraged to uphold the four |
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responsibilities that President Washington outlined, namely "to |
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acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be |
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grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and |
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favor"; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate President George Washington's |
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Thanksgiving Proclamation of October 3, 1789. |