Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) has introduced a resolution to declare November 27, 2002 of this year as a national day of prayer and fasting. The resolution is not a simple "Thanksgiving Day" proclamation. The day Senator Santorum has chosen is actually the day before Thanksgiving Day.

Senator Santorum's resolution is modeled after one drafted by the House and Senate for the signature of Abraham Lincoln. That resolution was passed during the Civil War and appointed the last Thursday of September in 1863 as a "day of humiliation, prayer and fasting for all the people of the nation."

A resolution similar to Senator Santorum's was introduced in 1999 by former Congresswoman Helen Chenoweth (R-ID). (Chenoweth did not run for re-election in 2000)The resolution went directly to the floor of the House under suspension which requires a two-thirds vote for passage. The Republican leadership at the time was so sure it would pass that they had no fear of putting it to the floor under the suspension rules. Surprise: Congresswoman Chenoweth's resolution, officially described as, "Recognizing the public need for reconciliation and healing, urging the United States to unite in seeking God, and recommending that the Nation's leaders call for days of prayer," was defeated with the overwhelming majority of Democrats voting against it.

The core of the Chenoweth bill, which was defeated by the Democrats, "urges all Americans to unite in seeking the face of God through humble prayer and fasting , persistently asking God to send spiritual strength and a renewed sense of humility to the Nation so that hate and indifference may be replaced with love and compassion, and so that the suffering in the Nation and the world may be healed by the hand of God"

Understandably every homosexual member of Congress voted against the resolution including Republican Jim Kolbe (R-AZ). Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), the only lesbian in Congress, was very vocal against both Helen Chenoweth and the resolution. Baldwin is currently in a tight race to keep her congressional seat. Her opponent is Ron Greer, an African-American pastor. This Wisconsin race is one of the more interesting this year, as lesbian Baldwin tries to pitch herself as "middle-of-the-road."

The two members of the "Progressive Caucus" (read progressive as socialist) who recently went to Baghdad to play kissy face with Saddam Hussein, also voted against the resolution back in 1999. Congressmen Bonior (D-MI) and McDermott (D-WA) have their names coming up again and again when the event or the vote is either anti-God or anti-American.

The current resolution, SR-340, offered by Senator Santorum is one he wrote out of a deep sense in his spirit that America must humble itself and pray. Santorum, who is Catholic, is a leading advocate of the pro-life movement in the Senate. He is not up for re-election this year and the purpose of the resolution has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with his faith.

Santorum's Resolution ends with these words,

"Whereas dangers and threats to our Nation persist and in this time of peril, it is appropriate that the people of the United States, leaders and citizens alike, seek guidance, strength, and resolve through prayer and fasting : Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

1. Designates November 27, 2002, as a day for humility, prayer , and fasting for all people of the United States; and
2. Recommends that all people of the United States--

• observe this day as a day of prayer and fasting ;
• seek guidance from God to achieve greater understanding of our own failings;
• learn how we can do better in our everyday activities; and
• gain resolve in how to confront those challenges which we must confront"

Will this new version of a resolution of "humiliation, fasting and prayer" ever be brought to a vote in the Senate? I can only suggest that you call Senator Daschle and ask. Since he wants to be President of the United States, it should not matter to him if you are not from his home state of South Dakota. Will this man, who has even blocked the Homeland Security Bill from a vote, honor your request and allow this resolution onto the Senate floor for a vote? Let me know what he says.

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