National Day of Reconciliation Bill Passed By Congress
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent
ASSIST News Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. (ANS) — Congress has passed a bill to recognize a National Day of Reconciliation. The day will be observed on Tuesday, December 4, 2001.
“Several of Senators and Congressman have worked over the past several months to set aside a day of Reconciliation for America,” said John Sather, Inner City Ministry Director – Twin Cities.
According to Sather, the bill passed the House by voice vote, was sent to the Senate Rules Committee, and then passed in the U.S. Senate Wednesday night.
“The goal is to reconcile and unify America around the belief that America is ‘One Nation Under God,’ ” said Sather in an e-mail message to Prayer Transformation Ministries in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The wording of the bill is quite simple, and is as follows:
“Concurrent Resolution — Providing for a National Day of Reconciliation.
“Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That on a day of reconciliation selected jointly by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate, and with the Chaplain of the House of Representatives and the Chaplain of the Senate in attendance — (1) two Houses of the Congress shall assemble in the Hall of the House of Representatives; and (2) during this assembly, the Members of the two Houses may gather to humbly seek the blessings of Providence for forgiveness, reconciliation, unity, and charity for all people of the United States, thereby assisting the Nation to realize its potential as the champion of hope, the vindicator of the defenseless, and the guardian of freedom.
“Concurrent Resolution — Providing for a National Day of Reconciliation. Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring),
“SECTION 1. USE OF ROTUNDA OF THE CAPITOL. The rotunda of the Capitol is authorized to be used at any time on November 27, 2001, or December 4, 2001, for a National Day of Reconciliation where — (1) the two Houses of Congress shall assemble in the rotunda with the Chaplain of the House of Representatives and the Chaplain of the Senate in attendance; and (2) during this assembly, the Members of the two Houses may gather to humbly seek the blessings of Providence for forgiveness, reconciliation, unity, and charity for all people of the United States, thereby assisting the Nation to realize its potential as –(A) the champion of hope; (B) the vindicator of the defenseless; and (C) the guardian of freedom.
“SECTION 2. PHYSICAL PREPARATIONS FOR THE ASSEMBLY. Physical preparations for the assembly shall be carried out in accordance with such conditions as the Architect of the Capitol may prescribe. In support of our leaders and our nation, we are urging that we all take December 4, 2001, as a special day of fasting and prayer for reconciliation.”
“It is also our sincere hope that even secular employers will allow their employees to spend time that day in intercessory prayer,” said Sather, adding:”We would also like to strongly encourage pastors and leaders to call their congregations to prayer, as well as make their facilities available for believers to unite in prayer whenever and wherever possible,” Sather wrote.
“Will you join us for this unprecedented opportunity? This has never happened in the history of the United States. Our leaders are unifying. Lets get behind them and pray earnestly for them by name, beginning with our President and his cabinet,” said Sather.
The e-mail letter to Prayer transformation Ministries was signed by Dr. Bill Bright, Founder and Chairman, Steve Douglass, President, Chuck Price, U.S. Director, and John H. Sather, No More Fear Director – NYC and Here’s Life Inner City Ministry Director – Twin Cities.
Assist News Service. Used with Permission.