110 HRES 847 IH: Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith. U.S. House of Representatives 2007-12-06 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 847 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 6, 2007 Mr. King of Iowa (for himself, Mr. Akin, Mrs. Bachmann, Mr. Baker, Mr. Barrett of South Carolina, Mr. Bishop of Utah, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Brady of Texas, Mr. Broun of Georgia, Mr. Brown of South Carolina, Mr. Burton of Indiana, Mr. Carter, Mr. Conaway, Mr. David Davis of Tennessee, Mr. Doolittle, Mr. Feeney, Mr. Fortenberry, Ms. Foxx, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Gingrey, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Hayes, Mr. Herger, Mr. Issa, Mr. Sam Johnson of Texas, Mr. Jones of North Carolina, Mr. Jordan of Ohio, Mr. Kingston, Mr. Kline of Minnesota, Mr. Kuhl of New York, Mr. LaHood, Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Lampson, Mr. Daniel E. Lungren of California, Mr. McCaul of Texas, Mr. McIntyre, Mrs. McMorris Rodgers, Mr. Miller of Florida, Mrs. Musgrave, Mrs. Myrick, Mr. Neugebauer, Mr. Poe, Mr. Sali, Mr. Shadegg, Mr. Smith of Texas, Mr. Stearns, Mr. Terry, Mr. Tiahrt, Mr. Walberg, Mr. Weldon of Florida, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Davis of Kentucky, and Mrs. Drake) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith.

Whereas Christmas, a holiday of great significance to Americans and many other cultures and nationalities, is celebrated annually by Christians throughout the United States and the world; Whereas there are approximately 225,000,000 Christians in the United States, making Christianity the religion of over three-fourths of the American population; Whereas there are approximately 2,000,000,000 Christians throughout the world, making Christianity the largest religion in the world and the religion of about one-third of the world population; Whereas Christians identify themselves as those who believe in the salvation from sin offered to them through the sacrifice of their savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and who, out of gratitude for the gift of salvation, commit themselves to living their lives in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Bible; Whereas Christians and Christianity have contributed greatly to the development of western civilization; Whereas the United States, being founded as a constitutional republic in the traditions of western civilization, finds much in its history that points observers back to its roots in Christianity; Whereas on December 25 of each calendar year, American Christians observe Christmas, the holiday celebrating the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ; Whereas for Christians, Christmas is celebrated as a recognition of God’s redemption, mercy, and Grace; and Whereas many Christians and non-Christians throughout the United States and the rest of the world, celebrate Christmas as a time to serve others: Now, therefore be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)recognizes the Christian faith as one of the great religions of the world; (2)expresses continued support for Christians in the United States and worldwide; (3)acknowledges the international religious and historical importance of Christmas and the Christian faith; (4)acknowledges and supports the role played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the western civilization; (5)rejects bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide; and (6)expresses its deepest respect to American Christians and Christians throughout the world.