PUBLIC LAW 97-280 - OCT. 4, 1982

Public Law 97-280 96 STAT. 1211 (97th Congress) Joint Resolution

authorizing & requesting the President to proclaim 1983 as the Year of the Bible.

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;

Whereas deeply held religious convictions springing from the Holy Scriptures led to the early

settlement of our Nation;

Whereas Biblical teachings inspired concepts of civil government that are contained in our

Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States;

Whereas many of our great national leaders --among them Presidents Washington, Jackson,

Lincoln and Wilson --paid tribute to the surpassing influence of the Bible in our

country’s development, as in the words of President Jackson that the Bible is "the

rock on which our Republic rests";

Whereas the history of our Nation clearly illustrates the value of voluntarily applying the

teachings of the Scriptures in the lives of individuals, families and societies;

Whereas this Nation now faces great challenges that will test this Nation as it has never

been tested before; and

Whereas that renewing our knowledge of and faith in God through Holy Scripture can

strengthen us as a nation and a people: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the

Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in

Congress assembled, That the President is authorized and requested to

designate 1983 as a national "Year of the Bible" in recognition of both the

formative influence the Bible has been for our Nation, and our national need to

study and apply the teachings of the Holy Scriptures.

Approved October 4, 1982________________________________

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY-S.J.Res.165:

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 128 (1982):

Mar. 31, considered and passed Senate.

Sept. 21, considered and passed House.