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Religious Freedom Day 2013: President Obama's Proclamation

President Obama's Religious Freedom Day Proclamation
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The White House issued the following proclamation from President Barack Obama on the occasion of Religious Freedom Day 2013:

Foremost among the rights Americans hold sacred is the freedom to worship as we choose. Today, we celebrate one of our Nation's first laws to protect that right -- the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. Written by Thomas Jefferson and guided through the Virginia legislature by James Madison, the Statute affirmed that "Almighty God hath created the mind free" and "all men shall be free to profess ... their opinions in matters of religion." Years later, our Founders looked to the Statute as a model when they enshrined the principle of religious liberty in the Bill of Rights.

Because of the protections guaranteed by our Constitution, each of us has the right to practice our faith openly and as we choose. As a free country, our story has been shaped by every language and enriched by every culture. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, Sikhs and
non-believers. Our patchwork heritage is a strength we owe to our religious freedom.

Americans of every faith have molded the character of our Nation. They were pilgrims who sought refuge from persecution; pioneers who pursued brighter horizons; protesters who fought for abolition, women's suffrage, and civil rights. Each generation has seen people of different faiths join together to advance peace, justice, and dignity for all.

Today, we also remember that religious liberty is not just an American right; it is a universal human right to be protected here at home and across the globe. This freedom is an essential part of human dignity, and without it our world cannot know lasting peace.

As we observe Religious Freedom Day, let us remember the legacy of faith and independence we have inherited, and let us honor it by forever upholding our right to exercise our beliefs free from prejudice or persecution.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 16, 2013, as Religious Freedom Day. I call on all Americans to commemorate this day with events and activities that teach us about this critical foundation of our Nation's liberty, and show us how we can protect it for future generations at home and around the world.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord
two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

See who has delivered the inaugural invocation for past presidents:

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Before You Go

Inauguration Invocations
ZeBarney Thorne Phillips(01 of17)
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At the inaugurations of Franklin D. Roosevelt on Jan. 20, 1937 and Jan. 20, 1941, the invocation was delivered by ZeBarney Thorne Phillips, an Episcopalian and the Chaplain of the United States Senate.Photo: Chaplain of the United States Senate ZeBarney Thorne Phillips delivering prayer to open the session, 1939. (credit:WikiMedia:)
Bishop Angus Dun(02 of17)
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At the fourth inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt, on Jan. 20, 1945, the invocation was delivered by Bishop Angus Dun, an Episcopalian and then Bishop of Washington.Photo: A crowd gathers outside the south portico of the White House to attend Franklin D. Roosevelt's 4th Inaugural speech January 20, 1945 in Washington D.C. (Photo by National Archive/Newsmakers) (credit:Getty Images)
Rev. Edward Hughes Pruden(03 of17)
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On January 20, 1949, Rev. Edward Hughes Pruden, a Baptist of the First Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., delivered the invocation for the inauguration of Harry S. Truman.Photo: The inaugural stand in from the the Capitol before the inauguration of Harry S. Truman. (credit:WikiMedia:)
Patrick A. O’Boyle(04 of17)
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On Jan. 20, 1953 at the inaugural of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the invocation was delivered by Patrick A. O’Boyle, the Catholic Archbishop of Washington.Photo: Dwight D. Eisenhower takes the Oath of Office as the President of the United States during his Inauguration January 20, 1953 in Washington D.C. Also pictured is former president Harry S. Truman, left, and Richard M. Nixon, right. (Photo by National Archive/Newsmakers) (credit:Getty Images)
Rev. Edward L. R. Elson (05 of17)
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On Jan. 21, 1957, at the second inaugural of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the invocation was delivered by Rev. Edward L. R. Elson, a Presbyterian and then the Chaplain of the United States Senate.Photo: Reverend Edward L. R. Elson, former Chaplain of the United States Senate. He is shown wearing military ribbons reflecting U.S. Army chaplain service. (credit:WikiMedia:)
His Eminence Cardinal Richard Cushing(06 of17)
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At the Jan. 20, 1961 inaugural of John F. Kennedy, the invocation was given by His Eminence Cardinal Richard Cushing, a Catholic.Photo: John F. Kennedy gives his inauguration address after being sworn in. (credit:WikiMedia:)
Archbishop Robert E. Lucey(07 of17)
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At the Jan. 20, 1965 inaugural of Lyndon B. Johnson, Archbishop Robert E. Lucey, a Catholic, delivered the invocation.Photo: Archibishop Robert E. Lucey Co Rentmeester//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images). (credit:Getty Images)
Rev. Charles Ewbank Tucker(08 of17)
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On Jan. 20, 1969, at the inaugural of Richard Nixon, the invocation was given by Rev. Charles Ewbank Tucker, bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.Photo: Richard Nixon being inaugurated. (credit:WikiMedia:)
Rev. E. V. Hill(09 of17)
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At the Jan. 20, 1973 inaugural of Richard M. Nixon, the invocation was delivered by the Rev. E. V. Hill, pastor of the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles.Photo: Archbishop Iakovos greets Richard M. Nixon at his second inauguration. The Greek Orthodox leader gave a prayer at the ceremony. (credit:WikiMedia:)
Rev. William Cannon(10 of17)
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Rev. William Cannon, a United Methodist, delivered the invocation at the Jan. 20, 1977 inaugural of Jimmy Carter.Photo: Jimmy Carter at his inauguration. (credit:AP)
Rev. Donn Moomaw(11 of17)
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At the Jan. 20, 1981 inaugural of Ronald Reagan, the invocation (and benediction) was delivered by Rev. Donn Moomaw, a Presbyterian and pastor of Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles.Photo: Rev. Donn Moomaw gives the invocation at the 1981 inauguration of President Ronald Reagan. Also pictured are House Speaker Tip O'Neill, Vice President George H. W. Bush, President Reagan, Barbara Bush and Nancy Reagan. (credit:WikiMedia:)
Rev. Timothy S. Healy(12 of17)
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On January 21, 1985, at the second inaugural of Ronald Reagan,the invocation was given by Rev. Timothy S. Healy, a Catholic and then-president of Georgetown University.Photo: Ronald Reagan's 1985 presidential inauguration. (credit:WikiMedia:)
Billy Graham(13 of17)
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On Jan. 20, 1989, at the inauguration of George H. W. Bush, the Rev. Billy Graham, a Southern Baptist leader, delivered the invocation. (Here is the full text.)Photo: George H. W. Bush, with his wife, Barbara, and the Rev. Billy Graham at his inauguration. (credit:AP)
Billy Graham(14 of17)
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On Jan. 20, 1993 and Jan. 20, 1997, at both of Bill Clinton's inaugurations, the Rev. Billy Graham, a Southern Baptist leader, delivered the invocation. (Here is the full text from 1993 and 1997.)Photo: US President Bill Clinton bows his head as Reverend Billy Graham gives the invocation at the beginning of the inaugural ceremony 20 January on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Clinton was sworn in for a second term as U.S. President. (LUKE FRAZZA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Rev. Franklin Graham(15 of17)
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At the Jan. 20, 2001 inaugural of George W. Bush, theinvocation was given by Rev. Franklin Graham, a Southern Baptist. (Here is the full text.)Photo: George W. Bush delivers his inaugural address. (credit:WikiMedia:)
Rev. Luis León(16 of17)
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At the Jan. 20, 2005 inauguration of George W. Bush, Rev. Luis León, an Episcopalian and rector of St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square (Washington, D.C.), delivered the invocation. (Here is the full text.)Photo: With his left hand resting on a family Bible, President George W. Bush takes the oath of office. (credit:WikiMedia:)
Rev. Dr. Rick Warren(17 of17)
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Rev. Dr. Rick Warren, a Baptist and pastor of the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., gave the invocation at the Jan. 20, 2009 inauguration of Barack Obama. (Here is the full text.)Photo: Barack Obama bows his head during the invocation by Rev. Rick Warren at his inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America on the West Front of the Capitol January 20, 2009 in Washington, DC. Obama becomes the first African-American to be elected to the office of President in the history of the United States. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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