Agenda 12/12/2023 Item # 4A (Proclamation - National Religious Freedom Day)12/12/2023
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, since 1993 the President of the United States has proclaimed January 16
of each year as Religious Freedom Day and called on all Americans to
commemorate the day with events and activities that teach us about this
critical foundation of our nation's liberty; and
WHEREAS, the celebration of Religious Freedom Day commemorates the signing of
the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, penned by Thomas Jefferson
and adopted by the Virginia House of Burgesses January 16, 1786; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Statute declared religious liberty a natural right and any
attempt to subvert it "a departure from the plan of the Holy Author of
our religion, who being Lord both of body and mind, yet chose not to
propagate it by coercions on either." The Statute inspired religious
liberty protections in the First Amendment, which have stood for nearly
two-and-a-quarter centuries; and
WHEREAS, the Liberty Bell, on display at Freedom Hall in Philadelphia, is inscribed
with “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land, unto all the people
thereof,” Leviticus 25:10; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Collier County desire that their elected representatives
confirm the principle of Religious Freedom;
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County C ommissioners of Collier
County, Florida, that January 16, 2024, be designated as
NATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DAY
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 12th Day of December 2023.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
______________________________
RICK LOCASTRO, CHAIRMAN
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12/12/2023
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 4.A
Doc ID: 27292
Item Summary: Proclamation designating January 16, 2024, as National Religious Freedom Day. To be accepted
by Greg Harper, President, Inspired Learning Center, and other distinguished guests.
Meeting Date: 12/12/2023
Prepared by:
Title: Customer Service Specialist – County Manager's Office
Name: Aimee Trochessett
11/21/2023 3:50 PM
Submitted by:
Title: Management Analyst II – County Manager's Office
Name: Geoffrey Willig
11/21/2023 3:50 PM
Approved By:
Review:
County Manager's Office Amy Patterson County Manager Review Completed 12/01/2023 9:55 AM
Board of County Commissioners Geoffrey Willig Meeting Pending 12/12/2023 9:00 AM
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