Year of the Bible

In February 1982, Senator William L. Armstrong and Congressman Carlos Moorhead sponsored Senate Joint Resolution 165, 96 Stat. 1211 (H.J.Res.487 in the house,[1]) a joint resolution authorizing and requesting the President to proclaim 1983 as the "Year of the Bible".[2] In the United States, 1983 was designated as the national Year of the Bible by President Ronald Reagan by Proclamation 5018,[3] made on February 3, 1983, at the annual National Prayer Breakfast. President Reagan was authorized and requested to so designate 1983 by Public Law 97-280 (Senate Joint Resolution 165], 96 Stat. 1211) passed by Congress and approved on October 4, 1982.

The law recited that the Bible "has made a unique contribution in shaping the United States as a distinctive and blessed nation and people" and that, quoting President Andrew Jackson, the Bible is "the rock on which our Republic rests". It also acknowledged a "national need to study and apply the teachings of the Holy Scriptures." "Can we resolve to reach, learn and try to heed the greatest message ever written, God's Word, and the Holy Bible?" Reagan asked. "Inside its pages lie all the answers to all the problems that man has ever known."

Paul Broun of Georgia sought a comparable declaration for 2010, but his proposal, 111 H. Con. Res. 112, did not emerge from the committee to which it was referred.[4][5]

On January 30, 2012, Pennsylvania state lawmakers declared 2012 to be the "Year of the Bible".[6] The Resolution passed by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, HR 535, has faced resistance from atheist groups.[7] In response, an atheist group, American Atheists, paid for the placement of a billboard in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania that protests the bill.[8]

Governor Matt Bevin of Kentucky declared both 2016 and 2017 the Year of the Bible in the state.[9][10]

See also

References

  1. ^ Moorhead, Carlos J. (1982-05-13). "H.J.Res.487 - 97th Congress (1981-1982): A joint resolution authorizing and requesting the President to proclaim 1983 as the "Year of the Bible"". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  2. ^ Armstrong, William L. (1982-10-04). "S.J.Res.165 - 97th Congress (1981-1982): A joint resolution authorizing and requesting the President to proclaim 1983 as the "Year of the Bible"". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  3. ^ "PUBLIC LAW 97-280—OCT. 4, 1982, "Year of the Bible"" (PDF). Govinfo.gov. October 4, 1982.
  4. ^ 111th Congress (2009) (May 7, 2009). "H.Con.Res. 121 (111th)". Legislation. GovTrack.us. Retrieved October 7, 2012. Encouraging the President to designate 2010 as "The National Year of the Bible".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Victoria McGrane (May 22, 2009). "Lawmaker wants to make 2010 'Year of the Bible'". Politico. Retrieved October 7, 2012.
  6. ^ "Lawmakers designate 'Year of the Bible' in Pa. — NewsWorks". Archived from the original on 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  7. ^ "All Pennsylvania Atheists to Celebrate 2012 As the Year of the Bible « No God Blog". atheists.org. Archived from the original on 2012-02-01.
  8. ^ Perce, Ernest V (March 1, 2012). "American Atheists, Inc. "Slaves Obey Your Masters" Billboard to Challenge the "Year of the Bible" in Harrisburg, PA" (Press release). American Atheists. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
  9. ^ Watins, Morgan (December 22, 2016). "Bevin: 2017 is Also the 'Year of the Bible'". courier-journal.com. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  10. ^ Brammer, Jack (December 21, 2016). "Bevin Declares 2017 the 'Year of the Bible' in Kentucky". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
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