Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 106 Part 3.djvu/483

 PUBLIC LAW 102-464—OCT. 23, 1992 106 STAT. 2277 Public Law 102-464 102d Congress Joint Resolution Designating January 16, 1993, as "Religious Freedom Day". Whereas December 15, 1991, is the 200th anniversary of the completion of the ratification of the Bill of Rights; Whereas the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees religious liberty to the people of the United States; Whereas millions of people from all parts of the world have come to the United States fleeing religious persecution and seeking freedom to worship; Whereas in 1777 Thomas Jefferson wrote the bill entitled "A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom in Virginia" to guarantee freedom of conscience and separation of church and state; Whereas in 1786, through the devotion of Virginians such as George Mason and James Madison, the General Assembly of Virginia passed such bill; Whereas the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom inspired and shaped the guarantees of religious freedom in the first amendment; Whereas the Supreme Coiut of the United States has recognized repeatedly that the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom was an important influence in the development of the Bill of Rights; Whereas scholars across the United States have proclaimed the vital importance of such statute and leaders in fields such as law and religion have devoted time, energy, and resources to celebrating its contribution to international freedom; and Whereas America's First Freedom Center, located in Richmond, Virginia, plans a permanent monument to the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, accompsmied by educational programs and commemorative activities for visitors from around the world: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That January Oct. 23, 1992 [H.J. Res. 457]

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