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S. 1009

STATUS INFORMATION

Concurrent Resolution
Sponsors: Senators Grooms, Fair, L. Martin and Bright
Document Path: l:\s-res\lkg\030pray.kmm.lkg.docx

Introduced in the Senate on January 19, 2016
Introduced in the House on February 3, 2016
Currently residing in the Senate

Summary: Call to prayer

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1/19/2016  Senate  Introduced (Senate Journal-page 9)
   1/19/2016  Senate  Referred to Committee on Invitations 
                        (Senate Journal-page 9)
   1/28/2016  Senate  Recalled from Committee on Invitations 
                        (Senate Journal-page 3)
   1/29/2016          Scrivener's error corrected
    2/2/2016  Senate  Adopted, sent to House (Senate Journal-page 26)
    2/3/2016  House   Introduced (House Journal-page 5)
    2/3/2016  House   Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial 
                        Resolutions (House Journal-page 5)
    3/8/2016  House   Committee report: Favorable Invitations and Memorial 
                        Resolutions (House Journal-page 27)
    3/9/2016  House   Adopted, sent to Senate (House Journal-page 25)
    3/9/2016  House   Roll call Yeas-108  Nays-0 (House Journal-page 25)

View the latest legislative information at the website

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

1/19/2016
1/28/2016
1/29/2016
3/8/2016

COMMITTEE REPORT

March 8, 2016

S. 1009

S. Printed 3/8/16--H.

Read the first time February 3, 2016.

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S. 1009) to respectfully and humbly issue a "Call to Prayer" for the State of South Carolina and invite her citizens everywhere to pray that God will continue to bless, etc., respectfully

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

JIMMY C. BALES for Committee.

TO RESPECTFULLY AND HUMBLY ISSUE A "CALL TO PRAYER" FOR THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND INVITE HER CITIZENS EVERYWHERE TO PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS THIS COUNTRY, OUR NOBLE STATE AND THE FREEDOMS FOR WHICH THEY STAND.

Whereas, throughout the history of the United States, its citizens have drawn strength, hope, and guidance by prayer and humble petition before a loving and merciful Creator--imploring Him to watch over this nation, its leaders, and her people. Through this simple act of trust, the citizens of South Carolina have also endeavored to show their commitment when duty calls, to offer dignity and compassion to those less fortunate, and to bring encouragement in the face of unprecedented challenges; and

Whereas, the Judeo-Christian principles that established America, including the First Amendment to the Constitution, guarantee the freedom of religion and its expression. The moral and solemn responsibility of those elected to public office, draws many servants who believe in the power of prayer--to seek humility in governance, wisdom in decision making, courage in times of testing, and providence for God's favor and blessing; and

Whereas, on May 24, 1774, when facing enormous challenges, caucus members from the Virginia House of Burgesses passed a resolution setting apart a day of, "Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer." We now stand at the threshold of another significant crossroad: either to acknowledge and embrace the vibrant character of our spiritual heritage or to plunge headlong into a postmodern void that is eroding much of what we hold sacred; and

Whereas, centuries ago, the Bible records in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that Gold told King Solomon: "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land"; and

Whereas, in early 2005, a small group from the U.S. House of Representatives began meeting in Room 219 of the United States Capitol to pray for our nation. Soon thereafter, these members formed the Congressional Prayer Caucus to vigilantly watch over and protect the right of individuals to pray. Their vision for the Caucus has inspired the formation of similar caucuses around the nation, including in South Carolina. With the re-affirmation of, "In God We Trust" as our national motto in 2011, it becomes more evident how important prayer is to this country; and

Whereas, the 1663 Charter of Carolina acknowledges, "Being excited with a laudable and pious zeal for the propagation of the Christian faith"; and

Whereas, the first governor, William Sayle, allowed religious toleration of all denominations; and

Whereas, the State of South Carolina was the second state to ratify the Articles of Confederation and the eighth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1788; and

Whereas, the Preamble of the State Constitution humbly asserts, "We, the people of the State of South Carolina, in Convention assembled, grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the preservation and perpetuation of the same"; and

Whereas, the State Constitution specifies, "The General Assembly shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government or any department thereof for a redress of grievances". Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, respectfully and humbly issue a "Call to Prayer" for the State of South Carolina and invite her citizens everywhere to pray that God will continue to bless this country, our noble State and the freedoms for which they stand.

This web page was last updated on March 10, 2016 at 9:08 AM