Proposed Congressional Resolution on 400th Anniversary of KJV

A friend forwarded me an email about this last week, and I've been meaning to do a post.  Here goes:

On April 12, 2011 a proposed resolution was introduced to the 112th Congress of the United States recognizing the 400th anniversary of the publication of the KJV and its status as the first Bible published in America.  The resolution was sponsored by Representatives Robert B. Aderholt (Republican-Alabama) and Nick Rahall, Jr. (Democrat-West Virginia).  Heres' the info on the resolution from the Library of Congress. 

The moving force behind the resolution is a group called Bible Nation Society which is sponsoring a series of events next week (May 2-3) at George Washington University and the National Mall in Washington DC called the 2011 King James Bible Expo (see this website and this article).  The organizers had wanted to have the resolution passed before Congress' April 18-May 1 break and their Expo, but it has apparently gotten bogged down (crowded out by other issues?) in committee.

Here's the resolution as proposed:

Recognizing the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Version of the Bible.

Whereas the King James Version of the Bible was the first English language Bible to be published in the United States;

Whereas the King James Bible, also called the Authorized Version, has made a unique contribution in shaping the English language, including hundreds of common everyday expressions;

Whereas the language of the King James Bible has entered into the very culture of the United States through a myriad of poetry, speeches, sermons, music, songs, and literature;

Whereas the teachings of the Scriptures, particularly read from the King James Scriptures, have inspired concepts of civil government contained in our founding documents, and subsequent laws;

Whereas public officials on all levels of governments, including presidents, have taken their oath of office with the King James Bible;

Whereas many national leaders, have paid tribute to the surpassing influence of the Bible in the United States development, among them the words of Democratic President Andrew Jackson, calling it `the rock upon which our republic rests';

Whereas Republican President Ronald Reagan also said of the King James Bible, `Indeed, it is an incontrovertible fact that all the complex and horrendous questions confronting us at home and worldwide have their answer in that single book';

Whereas in the history of the United States, the King James Bible has played a significant role in the education of countless individuals, families, and societies;

Whereas the King James Bible, the most printed and widely distributed work in history, is now in its 400th year of publication;

Whereas in 2011, the 400th anniversary of publishing the King James Bible will be celebrated in churches, public events, and conferences with further research, discussions, speeches, and sermons; and

Whereas the King James Bible's relevance and contributions continue to formatively influence the United States: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress--

(1) recognizes the 400th anniversary of the Authorized King James Version of the Bible being published;

(2) recognizes its lasting influence on countless families, individuals, and institutions in the United States; and

(3) expresses its gratitude for the influence it has bestowed upon the United States.