Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 103 Part 1.djvu/701

 PUBLIC LAW 101-104—OCT. 2, 1989 103 STAT. 673 Public Law 101-104 101st Congress Joint Resolution Designating the week of September 24, 1989, as "Religious Freedom Week". Whereas the principle of religious liberty was an essential part of the founding of our Nation, and must be saf^uarded 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 Constitution of the United States ensures religious freedom to all of the people of the United States; Whereas at Touro Synag(^ue in 1790, President Cieorge Washington issued his famous letter declaring ''to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance"; Whereas the Touro S3mag(^ue letter advocating the doctrine of mutual respect and understanding was issued more than 1 year before the adoption of the Bill of Rights; Whereas the letter of President Washington and the Touro Syna- gogu.e have become national 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, there- fore, be it Oct. 2, 1989 [S.J. Res. 146]

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