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 a s an annual 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 their 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 Santa Maria Valley Community of Prayer is celebrating its 28th 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 1st day of May 2025, as:
“NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER”
in the City of Santa Maria, and encourage people of all faiths to participate in “Day of Prayer”.
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 15th day of April 2025.
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Alice M. Patino, Mayor