S.Res. 649

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 649 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 649

Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the passage of the resolution of 
March 16, 1776, which declared May 17 as a day of humiliation, fasting, 
and prayer.

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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 18, 2026

Mr. Lankford (for himself and Mr. Warnock) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to

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RESOLUTION

Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the passage of the resolution of 
March 16, 1776, which declared May 17 as a day of humiliation, fasting, 
and prayer.

Whereas, on March 16, 1776, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution 
calling for a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer;
Whereas the preamble of the March 16, 1776, resolution stated, ``In times of 
impending calamity and distress; when the Liberties of America are 
imminently endangered by the secret machinations and open assaults of an 
insidious and vindictive Administration, it becomes the indispensable 
duty of these hitherto free and happy Colonies, with true penitence of 
heart, and the most reverent devotion, publickly to acknowledge the over 
ruling providence of God; to confess and deplore our offences against 
him; and to supplicate his interposition for averting the threatened 
danger, and prospering our strenuous efforts in the cause of freedom, 
virtue, and posterity.''; and
Whereas the March 16, 1776, resolution resolved that ``The Congress therefore, 
considering the warlike preparations of the British Ministry to subvert 
our invaluable rights and privileges, and to reduce us by fire and 
sword, by the savages of the wilderness, and our own domestics, to the 
most abject and ignominious bondage: Desirous, at the same time, to have 
people of all ranks and degrees duly impressed with a solemn sense of 
God's superintending providence, and of their duty, devoutly to rely, in 
all their lawful enterprises, on his aid and direction, Do earnestly 
recommend, that FRIDAY, the Seventeenth day of May next, be observed by 
the said Colonies as a day of HUMILIATION, FASTING, AND PRAYERS; that we 
may, with united hearts, confess and bewail our manifold sins and 
transgressions, and, by a sincere repentance and amendment of life, 
appease his righteous displeasure, and, through the merits and mediation 
of Jesus Christ, obtain his pardon and forgiveness; humbly imploring his 
assistance to frustrate the cruel purposes of our unnatural enemies; and 
by inclining their hearts to justice and benevolence, prevent the 
further effusion of kindred blood. But if, continuing deaf to the voice 
of reason and humanity, and inflexibly bent, on desolation and war, they 
constrain us to repel their hostile invasions by open resistance, that 
it may please the Lord of Hosts, the God of Armies, to animate our 
Officers and Soldiers with invincible fortitude, to guard and protect 
them in the day of battle, and to crown the Continental arms, by sea and 
land, with victory and success. Earnestly beseeching him to bless our 
civil Rulers, and the Representatives of the People, in their several 
Assemblies and Conventions; to preserve and strengthen their Union, to 
inspire them with an ardent, disinterested love of their Country; to 
give wisdom and stability to their Councils; and direct them to the most 
efficacious measures for establishing the Rights of America on the most 
honorable and permanent basis--that he would be graciously pleased to 
bless all his People in these Colonies with Health and Plenty, and grant 
that a spirit of incorruptible Patriotism, and of pure undefiled 
Religion, may universally prevail; and this Continent be speedily 
restored to the blessings of Peace and Liberty, and enabled to transmit 
them inviolate to the latest Posterity. And it is recommended to 
Christians of all denominations, to assemble for Public Worship, and 
abstain from servile Labor on the said Day.'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate commemorates the 250th anniversary of the 
passage of the March 16, 1776, resolution, declaring May 17 as a day of 
humiliation, fasting, and prayer.
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