City of Santa Maria
Santa Maria, California
Proclamation
WHEREAS, National “Day of Prayer ” is an annual event established by an Act of Congress which encourages Americans to pray for the nation, its people, and its leaders; and
WHEREAS, days of prayer have been called for since 1775, when the Continental Congress designated a time for prayer in forming a new nation; and
WHEREAS, in 1863, Abraham Lincoln called for such a day; and
WHEREAS, officially, “Day of Prayer " was established as an annu al event by an Act of Congress in 1952, and was signed into law by President Truman; and
WHEREAS, the law was amended in 1988, and signed by President Ronald Reagan, establishing the “Day of Prayer” as the first Thursday of May each year; and
WHEREAS, “Day of Prayer” affords everyone the ability to exercise the ir freedom to gather and pray, to unify hearts, communities, and the country, while holding dear their faith, freedoms, and to one another as fellow Americans; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Maria is celebrating its 27th annual “Day of Prayer” and continues to host one of the largest Day of Prayer gatherings in the State of California.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ALICE M. PATINO, Mayor of the City of Santa Maria, hereby recognize the 2nd day of May 2024, as:
“NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER”
in the City of Santa Maria, and encourage people of all faiths to participate in “Day of Prayer” and attend the observance at the Santa Maria Veterans Memorial Center from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Seal of the City of Santa Maria to be affixed hereto this 16th day of April 2024.
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Alice M. Patino, Mayor