HR 115 — A Resolution recognizing the month of April 2025 as "Faith Month" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.   953

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 115
                                              Session of
                                                2025

     INTRODUCED BY HAMM, PICKETT, STAATS, M. MACKENZIE, STAMBAUGH,
        KENYATTA, NEILSON, REICHARD, RAPP, ROWE, ZIMMERMAN,
        LEADBETER, MALONEY, B. MILLER, TWARDZIK AND GLEIM,
        MARCH 13, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, MARCH 13, 2025


                               A RESOLUTION
 1   Recognizing the month of April 2025 as "Faith Month" in
 2      Pennsylvania.
 3      WHEREAS, The United States was born of the unanimous
 4   declaration that we are "endowed by [our] Creator with certain
 5   unalienable Rights," based on "the Laws of Nature and of
 6   Nature's God," "appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world,"
 7   and acknowledging our "reliance on the protection of divine
 8   Providence"; and
 9      WHEREAS, Religious freedom is known as America's first
10   freedom, as laid out in the Establishment Clause and the Free
11   Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution of
12   the United States; and
13      WHEREAS, The freedom of speech guaranteed by the First
14   Amendment to the Constitution of the United States also supports
15   America's unique focus on freedom of expression, including in
16   matters of faith; and
17      WHEREAS, The motto "In God We Trust" further emphasizes the
 1   importance of faith in this nation's founding; and
 2      WHEREAS, From our first president to our current president,
 3   we have acknowledged America's faith; and
 4      WHEREAS, President George Washington recognized "it is the
 5   duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty
 6   God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and
 7   humbly to implore his protection and favor"; and
 8      WHEREAS, America's Judeo-Christian founding promotes
 9   religious diversity and tolerance; and
10      WHEREAS, Religious liberty serves to strengthen our country's
11   appreciation of all peoples, regardless of faith; and
12      WHEREAS, Eternal diligence is needed to preserve religious
13   freedom; and
14      WHEREAS, Attacks on religious liberty and people and faith
15   continue to plague this nation, with some religious charities
16   even being forced to betray the tenets of their faith in order
17   to participate in certain government programs; and
18      WHEREAS, Many seek to criminalize religious beliefs in
19   certain controversial areas; and
20      WHEREAS, Religious organizations in America have a rich
21   history of charitable engagement helping the sick, poor and
22   afflicted; therefore be it
23      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
24   month of April 2025 as "Faith Month" in Pennsylvania; and be it
25   further
26      RESOLVED, That the month of April be known as "Faith Month"
27   as a way to reaffirm our commitment to the religious liberty
28   principles of our founding; and be it further
29      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage all
30   Americans to celebrate their faiths freely and openly, with

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1   public displays and celebrations, including prayer and
2   expressions of thanksgiving during the month of April.




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