Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 102 Part 2.djvu/768

 102 STAT. 1772

PUBLIC LAW 100-444—SEPT. 26, 1988

Public Law 100-444 100th Congress Joint Resolution Sept. 26, 1988 [H.J. Res. 518]

Designating the week of September 25, 1!)H8, as "Religious F'reedom Week".

Whereas the principle of religious liberty was an essential part of the founding of our Nation, and must be safeguarded with eternal vigilance by all men and women of good will; Whereas religious liberty has been endangered throughout history by bigotry and indifference; Whereas the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees the inalienable rights of individuals to worship freely or not be religious, as they choose, without interference from governmental or other agencies; Whereas the first amendment to the Constitution ensures religious freedom to all of the people of the United States; Whereas the bicentennial of the ratification of the Constitution occurs in 1988; Whereas, at Touro Synagogue in 1790, President George Washington issued his famous letter declaring "to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance"; Whereas the Touro Synagogue letter advocating the doctrine of mutual respect and understanding was issued more than a year before the adoption of the Bill of Rights; Whereas the letter of President Washington and the Touro Synagogue have become symbols of the commitment of the United States to religious freedom; Whereas, throughout our Nation's history, religion has contributed to the welfare of believers and of society generally, and has been a force for maintaining high standards for morality, ethics and justice; Whereas religion is most free when it is observed voluntarily at private initiative, uncontaminated by Government interference and unconstrained by majority preference; and Whereas religious liberty can be protected only through the efforts of all persons of good will in a united commitment: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the week of September 25, 1988, is hereby declared to be "Religious Freedom Week", wherein members of all faiths or of none, may join together in support of religious tolerance and religious liberty for all. Approved September 26, 1988.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 518 (S.J. Res. 361): CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 134 (1988): Sept. 16, considered and passed House. Sept. 19, S.J. Res. 361 and H.J. Res. 518 considered and passed Senate.

�