Backup Documents 12/11/2018 Item # 4B )
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, since 1993, the President of the United States has proclaimed January 16
of each year to be Religious Freedom Day, and called on all Americans to
commemorate this 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 Commissioners of Collier
County, Florida, that January 16, 2019, be designated as
NATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DAY
IN COLLIER COUNTY
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 11th Day of December 2018.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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