A JOINT RESOLUTION SUPPORTing THE GOVERNOR'S PROCLAMATION FOR A WEEK OF PRAYER FOR NORTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, Americans celebrate the National Day of Prayer annually on the first Thursday of May; and
Whereas, the modern law formalizing its observance traces its historical origins to a mandate by George Washington, the first President of the United States; and
Whereas, this is a day when Americans are encouraged to "turn to God in prayer and meditation"; and
Whereas, our State Constitution begins, "We, the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for the preservation of the American Union and the existence of our civil, political and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those blessings to us and our posterity"; and
Whereas, we join with the authors of our Constitution being grateful to Almighty God for the existence of our liberties, and we acknowledge our dependence upon Him for the continuance of His blessings to us and our posterity; and
Whereas, our State has great challenges before us; we are dependent on God and need prayer; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of President George Washington for his role in establishing a mandate that would help lead later to the annual observance of the National Day of Prayer.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly supports Governor Pat McCrory's proclamation for a North Carolina Week of Prayer in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer and encourages our citizens to turn to God in prayer on behalf of our State.
SECTION 3.  The General Assembly encourages the citizens of North Carolina to pray for our State year‑round and to also observe this designated week.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 29th day of April, 2013.

	s/	 Daniel J. Forest
	 President of the Senate

	s/	 Paul Stam
	 Speaker Pro Tempore of the House of Representatives