HR0555 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0555 LRB103 37692 MST 67819 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Each year the President of the United States declares January 16th as Religious Freedom Day and calls upon Americans to observe this day through appropriate events and activities in homes, schools, and places of worship; and

WHEREAS, Our Founding Fathers knew the importance of freedom of religion, and the U.S. Constitution protects an individual's right to worship as they so choose with the First Amendment; and

WHEREAS, Declaring such a day for religious freedom is part of our American foundation and heritage; and

WHEREAS, January 16th was the chosen date for celebration as it is the anniversary of the exact date in 1786 when the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom was passed; and

WHEREAS, This statute restrained the practice of taxing people to pay for the support of the local clergy and protected the civil rights of people to express their religious beliefs without suffering discrimination; and

WHEREAS, In Illinois, this date was observed by former Governor Rauner, and this important day of freedom should be brought into our chamber and State; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare January 16, 2024 as "Religious Freedom Day" in the State of Illinois and encourage our citizens to reflect on our proud tradition of religious freedom so that it may be preserved for future generations.