Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 104 Part 1.djvu/879

 PUBLIC LAW 101-394—SEPT. 25, 1990 104 STAT. 845 Public Law 101-394 101st Congress Joint Resolution To designate the week of September 23 throiigh 29, 1990, as "Religious Freedom Sept. 25, 1990 Week". [S.J. Res. 331] Whereas the principle of religious liberty was an essential part of the founding of the Nation, and must be safeguarded with eternal vigilance by all men and women of goodwill; Whereas religious liberty has been endangered throughout history by bigotry and indifference; Whereas the first amendment to the Constitution 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 ensures religious freedom to all of the people of the United States; 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 1 year before the adoption of the Bill of Rights; Whereas the letter of President Washingon and the Touro Synagogue have become national symbols of the commitment of the United States to religious freedom; Whereas throughout the history of the Nation, 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 goodwill in a united commitment: Now, therefore, belt Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That— 39-139 O - 90 (394)

�