Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith.

Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Garrett for this privilege of this time.

Madam Speaker, I believe the cornerstone of all human freedom is that of religious freedom. Indeed, a small separatist church congregation in England possessed a desire so strong to practice their faith freely that it compelled them to cross the ocean in a little wooden ship called the Mayflower.

While theirs was a quest to be able to practice the faith of Christianity, a central tenet of their Christian faith was the belief that all human beings were given the right by God to embrace whatever religious conviction they truly held in their hearts, and that human beings should protect that right for each other.

Madam Speaker, today we considered and passed H. Res. 847, ``recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith.'' Of course, Madam Speaker, there will be those who will criticize any effort to recognize a particular faith or holiday. However, Madam Speaker, aside from the debatable aspects of this resolution, or any other, those who are even slightly acquainted with history know that the Bible, the founding document of the Christian faith, was the essential rationale and substance that inspired our Declaration of Independence and was, further, the bedrock foundational document of the Western world.

The objective of this resolution is to honor those Judeo-Christian principles that have shaped American history and policy since the founding of our Nation and that have informed and influenced our ideas of justice and equality 7 years into the 21st century. Indeed, Madam Speaker, it was the Christian principles hailed in this resolution that led our country to be the very first beacon of religious freedom in the history of the world and, further, to finally reject the practice of human slavery that had plagued civilization across the world for nearly 7,000 years.

Madam Speaker, I believe that it would be wrong for this body to ever pass any law that would compel or forbid any person in this Nation or any other nation to accept or reject any article of faith, so long as they did not deprive their fellow Americans or human beings of those same constitutional rights. However, in recognizing the influence of Christianity upon Western civilization, we are also commending the unshakable commitment of Christian principles, the very ones that compelled our Founding Fathers to resolutely declare that all men are created equal by God himself, and that because they are created equal, they are also created free, Madam Speaker, and that includes being free to embrace the religion of their own conviction.

Religious freedom is a central component of the Christian faith this resolution references. Indeed, the message of the one born on Christmas Day was from a savior who came to offer every member of the human family ultimate and eternal freedom, even at the cost of his own life.

Madam Speaker, as we enjoy our religious freedom in this season of peace, may we not forget that at this very moment American men and women in uniform are fighting a battle across the world so that all Americans might continue to freely exercise their faith, and that that right might ultimately some day be extended to all of mankind. President Roosevelt probably said it best, Madam Speaker. He said in his Christmas Eve Nation message to the Nation, December 24, 1941, ``Our strongest weapon in this war is that conviction of the dignity and brotherhood of man, which Christmas Day signifies more than any other day or any other symbol. Against enemies who preach the principles of hate and practice them, we set our faith in human love and in God's care for us and all men everywhere.''

So, Madam Speaker, with those feelings in mind and with love in my heart for people of every faith, let me here on this floor exercise my own religious freedom and wish you and everyone else under the sound of my voice a happy, holy, and merry Christmas.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I rise today in support of House Resolution 847, which recognizes the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith.

While there may be some who bristle at the idea of the House of Representatives considering this resolution or any similar resolution, I would note that though the first amendment states that the Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, the first amendment also states that the Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

Mr. Speaker, our Founders had the foresight to realize that a state- run church of America would do more harm to the perseverance of faith and the hearts of our citizenry, and it would certainly lead to irreconcilable division. However, at the same time, the Founders and writers of the Constitution also recognized that the success of this great American experiment, this historic social contract, was contingent upon a moral and a religious people and the recognition that we had inalienable rights, because those rights are given to us by our Creator. If these rights are given to us by a Creator, then no human being can take them away. And this is the foundation of our system of justice, the foundation of our American society.

And so today we take just a few minutes to consider this resolution which respects the faith and the beliefs of a vast majority of this country and a plurality of the world, stating that, and I quote:

``Whereas Christians identify themselves as those who believe in the salvation from sin offered to them through the sacrifice of their savior, Jesus Christ, the son of God, and who, out of gratitude for the gift of salvation, commit themselves to living their lives in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Bible.''

So I hope that no Member of this Congress, no individual anywhere takes offense to this debate and this resolution, because none is intended. This resolution simply offers recognition to a faith and the values of that faith which has sustained hundreds of millions of people throughout the world, not just the United States. And after more than two millennia, we once again approach the commemoration of a birth that many recognize as holy but all recognize as historic.

Mr. Speaker, I want to point out that just this past weekend I took my granddaughters, 9-year-old, almost 10 they would want me to say, identical twin granddaughters with my wife, and we were in Representative Meeks' great City of New York and we had an opportunity to take our grandchildren to the Radio City Music Hall to see that annual Christmas performance. That 1\1/2\ hour performance, Mr. Speaker, was absolutely wonderful and a great tribute to the city, a great tribute to Representative Meeks and all of our colleagues from New York.

In that performance, Mr. Speaker, they had a nativity scene, the most beautiful nativity scene that I have had the opportunity to witness. And it meant so much to my granddaughters for me to explain about our Christian faith and heritage. So if it is good enough for New York City and Radio City Music Hall, it is good enough for this Congress. And, by golly, I want to encourage all my speakers to support the resolution of Representative King from Iowa. He was detained because of inclement weather; otherwise, he would be on this floor. But I commend and thank my colleague from New York, Representative Meeks, and also my colleague from Texas, Representative Poe, for allowing me time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 847) recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution and yield myself such time as I may consume.

Let me first thank our colleague from Iowa, Steve King, for introducing this important and timely resolution.

Mr. Speaker, along with people of other faiths, our Christian friends and neighbors around the world mark this time of year as a special festive season. As Kwanzaa approaches and Hanukkah draws to a close, it is notably the Christmas season. We are in the midst of Advent, and this discussion today is bracketed by two holidays observed by many Catholics who make up the majority of Christiandom: the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and Our Lady of Guadalupe. There are approximately 2 billion Christians, making Christianity the largest religion of the world and the faith of about one-third of the global population.

On December 25, Christians will celebrate Jesus the Christ, whom they have embraced as their savior. For believers, this holiday is a recognition of God's redemption, mercy, and grace. For Christians and non-Christians alike, Christmas is also a time to serve others. The celebration of Christmas requires devotion to faith, community, and family, truly universal values we all can share.

It is both fitting and important for the United States House of Representatives to mark this event. This legislation expresses the deep respect we feel for Christians in the United States and throughout the world. The House must reject bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide. We must affirm the values of religious freedom in this country and abroad. I strongly support this legislation, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, this just shows how great our Nation is as we celebrate holidays, as we indicated Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, we look at other religions, Islam and Ramadan. It shows the diversity and it shows the tolerance that we have for all. And as we enter this great holiday season, this is the example I think that we show around the world, that we celebrate each other's religion in great joy here, recognizing with respect whom they worship.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased, as original cosponsor, to rise in support of this

timely resolution recognizing the significance of Christmas and the contribution of the Christian faith to the United States and to other nations throughout the world. While Christmas does not have the same religious meaning for all citizens, it nevertheless invokes the values of friendship and goodwill that are common to all nations.

December 25, or Christmas, as we say, commemorates a birth that influenced the world in an unmatched way. Christ's life, his teachings, his example, his sacrifice, and his death brought to life one of the great religions of the world, one which underpins the foundations of democracy in our own United States of America and even other countries throughout the world.

Even in complex times such as those in which we live at this time, the simple central message of Christianity endures: ``love thy neighbor as thyself.''

For many, Christmas invokes the images of Santa Claus and exchanging of gifts. This comes from the patron St. Nicholas, who helped poor children hundreds of years ago by giving them presents. But Christianity is more. It is the birth of the Christian religion and commemorates the birth of its founder, Jesus, on Christmas day.

At its core are the fundamental important ideals of ``Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward men.'' The poor, the suffering, those left alone or far from their families, and those departed who were dear to us whom we remember from time to time are all recognized in this great religion of Christianity, and, through it, all have been offered hope.

At this time of year in this season of Christmas, I ask my colleagues to join in supporting House Resolution 847 introduced by our colleague, Mr. King of Iowa, recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey) such time as he may consume.

Mr. Speaker, the author of this resolution, Mr. King from Iowa, is already having a white Christmas. He is stuck in Iowa because of the snow. He could not be here.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, one of the reasons the United States of America has remained for more than two centuries a model to the world is the constitutional promise of the first amendment: ``Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.''

I did not vote against H. Res. 847, but I strongly believe it should never have been brought to the floor of the House of Representatives. It is appropriate for Congress to address moral and ethical issues of societal import, but not issues of religious import. Congress should not legislate on whether Jesus is peoples' ``savior'' or whether Christmas symbolizes ``God's redemption and mercy.'' Despite some good phrases, H. Res. 847 was inappropriate legislation that deserved neither a ``yes'' nor a ``no.'' I voted present, as I have occasionally done for legislation that I believe should never have been brought forward.

Those of us who practice our deeply held religious beliefs are able to worship more freely than anywhere else in the world because of this important protection that our founders installed so wisely. My Christian religious faith not only supports my entire life and dedication to service; it also leads me often to speak out on religious tolerance in the world.

Some people have noted that earlier this year I had voted to honor the Muslim observance of Ramadan and then recently refused to vote to honor Christmas. That is not really true. In October I voted in favor of a resolution that at the time of the Muslim Ramadan expressed ``friendship'' and ``respect'' for Muslims and commended Muslims who reject ``hatred'' and ``bigotry'' and who present Islam as supporting ``tolerance and full civil and political rights.'' That was a message of societal and political import, not religious, and different in tone and content from the recent resolution celebrating Christmas.

That is the way I see it, and when it comes to votes on the floor of the House, I call them as I see them. I trust my constituents will see

it as a thoughtful and conscientious vote, even if they disagree with it.