Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 420

STATE OF DELAWARE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

PROCLAMATION

Three hundred and twenty-nine years ago our forefathers arrived at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts, and successfully began the first settlement of what is now the United States. They experienced overwhelming hardships and suffering as they attempted to adapt themselves to what was then a new country populated with strange and sometimes unfriendly people as their neighbors, while constantly harassed by a rugged, cold and uncomfortable climate.

After a time of privation, sickness, misunderstanding and failure of crops, these hardy pioneers, constantly keeping their faith in God, constantly working for better and happier conditions, successfully overcame the difficult obstacles which had constantly plagued them. Against great odds they built homes which protected them from the elements; they successfully grew their own food through the cooperation of the once unfriendly natives and they arrived at a time when the harvest had been bountiful, when the once unfriendly natives became their friends and when sickness and pestilence were overcome. Finally, through their faith in God, they arrived at a time when they had overcome these grievous obstacles. At this time they joined together in all humility and invited their neighbors to join with them in giving thanks for the blessings which had been showered upon them.

How much more should we, in all humility, join together with our neighbors and friends in humbly giving thanks for the many blessings that we have enjoyed in the past peaceful year of opportunity and plenty;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Elbert N. Carvel, Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby set aside and proclaim

THURSDAY, THE TWENTY-FOURTH DAY OF NOVEMBER, A.D. 1949 AS A DAY OF PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING

and urge all of the people of our State to appropriately observe this day in houses of worship and in our homes or homes of our friends and relatives which are truly the hope and foundation of this great nation. Let us instruct our children of the importance of this day and let us teach them to humbly be thankful for the many blessings which have been ours. Let us all unite as one in a prayer of thankfulness for the many bounties we have received and work toward the day when universal peace shall be the accepted path of all nations.

In testimony of our acknowledgment of the many blessings that this great nation has bestowed upon us, let us display the flag of our State and country throughout the length and breadth of our beloved Delaware.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Great Seal of the State of Delaware, this Eighteenth day of November in the Year of Our Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Forty-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the One Hundred and Seventy-fourth.

(GREAT SEAL)

By the Governor:

ELBERT N. CARVEL

HARRIS B. McDOWELL, Jr., Secretary of State