Separation of Church and State

PROCLAMATION BY THE Governor of the State of Texas

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:

WHEREAS, the words of President George Washington ring true now as they did more than 200 years ago, "Almighty Father. Bless us with thy wisdom in our counsels and with success in battle, and let our victories be tempered with humanity. Endow, also, our enemies with enlightened minds, that they become sensible of their injustice, and willing to restore our liberty and peace. Thy will be done. Amen."; and

WHEREAS, as these words show, prayer has been a vital part of our shared national life since before the founding of our nation and state,
providing comfort and direction in times of crisis and conflict, and reminding us of the calm assurance that God cares for us, whatever our
ethnic, religious or political background; and

WHEREAS, the many brave and courageous men and women of the United States armed forces who have been deployed in the Middle East and around the world to keep freedom and protect liberty now find themselves in harm's way and in need of our prayers and petitions to God on behalf of their safety and wellbeing; and

WHEREAS, it seems right and fitting that the people of Texas should join with the soldiers in their foxholes, the pilots in their planes, and the
sailors on the seas and stand in solidarity with them through prayer for their safe return and the resumption of peace in the region and
throughout the world;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICK PERRY, GOVERNOR OF TEXAS, under the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Texas, do hereby proclaim Thursday, March 20, 2003, as a day of prayer in the state of Texas. I further urge Texans of all faiths and religions to offer prayers and petitions for peace and safety on behalf of our troops deployed in the Middle East and around the world, that they may return home safely to the care and comfort of their families and that we may return to our daily lives of peace and calm.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my Office in the City of Austin, Texas, this the 19th of March, 2003.

RICK PERRY Governor of Texas