PA House Resolution No. 535 (introduced as noncontroversial resolution)



Declaring 2012 as the “Year of the Bible” in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, The Bible, the word of God, has made a unique

contribution in shaping the United States as a distinctive and

blessed nation and people; and

WHEREAS, Deeply held religious convictions springing from the

holy scriptures led to the early settlement of our country; and

WHEREAS, Biblical teachings inspired concepts of civil

government that are contained in our Declaration of Independence

and the Constitution of the United States; and

WHEREAS, Many of our great national leaders, among them

President Washington, President Jackson, President Lincoln,

President Wilson and President Reagan, paid tribute to the

influence of the Bible in our country’s development, as

exemplified by the words of President Jackson that the Bible is

“the rock on which our Republic rests”; and

WHEREAS, The history of our country clearly illustrates the

value of voluntarily applying the teachings of the scriptures in

the lives of individuals, families and societies; and

WHEREAS, This nation now faces great challenges that will

test it as it has never been tested before; and

WHEREAS, Renewing our knowledge of and faith in God through

holy scripture can strengthen us as a nation and a people;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives declare 2012 as

the “Year of the Bible” in Pennsylvania in recognition of both

the formative influence of the Bible on our Commonwealth and

nation and our national need to study and apply the teachings of

the holy scriptures