I wrote a letter in response to Res. 847 coming up for a vote. The Representative sent me the response below and I sent him one back. I hope I have put all this together where it makes sense to all.

House passes H. Res. 847: Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith

SOURCE: Govtrack.us

These folks seem to have mixed up their holiday cheer with their oath to uphold the US Constitution. Separation of Church and State? It's only one Constitutional tenet that Congress throws to the wind these days. NH Congressional Reps Shea Porter and Hodes both voted to pass this crazy bill, voted under suspension of the rules to cut debate and allow quick passage. Do they have nothing better to do in Washington?

Here is the text of the bill.

Whereas Christmas, a holiday of great significance to Americans and many other cultures and nationalities, is celebrated annually by Christians throughout the United States and the world;

Whereas there are approximately 225,000,000 Christians in the United States, making Christianity the religion of over three-fourths of the American population;

Whereas there are approximately 2,000,000,000 Christians throughout the world, making Christianity the largest religion in the world and the religion of about one-third of the world population;

Whereas Christians and Christianity have contributed greatly to the development of western civilization;

Whereas the United States, being founded as a constitutional republic in the traditions of western civilization, finds much in its history that points observers back to its Judeo-Christian roots;

Whereas on December 25 of each calendar year, American Christians observe Christmas, the holiday celebrating the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ;

Whereas for Christians, Christmas is celebrated as a recognition of God's redemption, mercy, and Grace; and

Whereas many Christians and non-Christians throughout the United States and the rest of the world, celebrate Christmas as a time to serve others: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) recognizes the Christian faith as one of the great religions of the world;

(2) expresses continued support for Christians in the United States and worldwide;

(3) acknowledges the international religious and historical importance of Christmas and the Christian faith;

(4) acknowledges and supports the role played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the western civilization;

(5) rejects bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide; and

(6) expresses its deepest respect to American Christians and Christians throughout the world.

Rep. John Yarmuth response:

"Rep. John Yarmuth" <RepJohnYarmuth@mail.house.gov> wrote:

Thank you for the opportunity to discuss my vote on H.Res. 847. As you know, that resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Christmas and Christianity are significant factors in the history and culture of America. Just like virtually every other member of the House, I completely agree with the sentiments expressed in the Christmas resolution. However, I was concerned that this measure trivialized a holiday that is so sacred to the vast majority of American families— and I voted “Present” as a way of expressing my reservations about diminishing Christmas.

Nearly everyday, Congress passes resolutions for events such as National Watermelon Month, Marina Day, and— yes— Ramadan, all of which are not ingrained in the history of American culture. We have not considered resolutions for Thanksgiving, Easter, Memorial Day or the 4th of July, which are intrinsically part of America, and it is my feeling that Christmas clearly falls into this category.

I intended my vote to be respectful of Christmas and Christians, but I understand that some interpreted it differently. I’ve celebrated Christmas all my life, and some of my best memories both as a child and a parent are of waking up Christmas morning and unwrapping presents under our family tree. I continued that tradition with my family again this year.

Once again, thank you for giving me the chance to explain my thinking, and I hope you and yours had a very Merry Christmas and are enjoying the Happy New Year.

Sincerely,

John Yarmuth
Member of Congress

Dear Sir,
You say below that you did not want to trivialize a holiday yet you do not even name the holiday that you are talking about. Could it be that the holiday you are concerned about is not one of the majority, whether that has anything to do with this or not, I would say that it does not matter if the holiday was of a majority or not. What matters is the authenticity of the holiday and your true and honest belief. America acknowledges Christmas as a national Holiday. Has everyone forgotten that? I am so tired of the, so called, leaders of our country looking like they have no backbone at all. We need leaders that will stand up for what they believe and not stand up for simply what you think people want to here or just take the middle of the road as you have done. What is wrong with having principles of your own that does not depend on what others may think? Are some of our leaders actually not leaders at all? I would ask each and everyone of you to take a good look at your responsibilities and just how important they are to this country. You are not working in a factory where you can simply show up and put no thought at all in the process. All of you chose to be where you are today. Act like it for a change. Everyone is wanting a change in our leadership, well make one. Go back to the basics. True self moral standards apply. You do know right from wrong and if you all think that by not taking a stand you are getting by you are wrong. One day right will prevail and wrong will disappear. Just do the right thing.

In short I think that your response is weak and insulting, even to me.

Take a look at part of their ethics manual below. I have highlighted some key points in red.

ETHICS MANUAL FOR MEMBERS, OFFICERS, AND EMPLOYEES OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Please note: This document is to be used for reference purposes only. The printed manual is the official version.

The Committee is in the process of revising and updating this Manual, which was published in 1992. On any subject, both the Manual and the Committee's advisory memoranda should be consulted. The advisory memoranda are organized by subject in the Highlights of the Ethics Rules.

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102d Congress, 2d Session

Read number one below. It is talking about credibility.

“Deserving honor, respect, or admiration: admirable, commendable, deserving, estimable, exemplary, honorable, laudable, meritorious, praiseworthy, reputable, respectable, worthy. See good/bad, praise/blame, respect/contempt/standing, value/worthlessness/evaluation.

Worthy of being believed: believable, colorable, credible, plausible. See true/false.”

This definition comes from: http://www.answers.com/creditably&r=67

Then it goes on talking more of financial responsibility than moral responsibility. There was probably a reason for that, you think?

1. A Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives shall conduct himself at all times in a manner which shall reflect creditably on the House of Representatives.

2. A Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives shall adhere to the spirit and the letter of the Rules of the House of Representatives and to the rules of duly constituted committees thereof.

3. A Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives shall receive no compensation nor shall he permit any compensation to accrue to his beneficial interest from any source, the receipt of which would occur by virtue of influence improperly exerted from his position in the Congress.

4. A Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives shall not accept gifts (other than personal hospitality of an individual or with a fair market value of $100 or less) * * * in any calendar year aggregating more than * * * $250, * * * directly or indirectly, from any person (other than from a relative) except to the extent permitted by written waiver granted in exceptional circumstances by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct pursuant to clause 4(e)(1)(E) of rule X.

5. A Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives, shall accept no honorarium for a speech, writing for publication, or other similar activity.

6. A Member of the House of Representatives shall keep his campaign funds separate from his personal funds. A Member shall convert no campaign funds to personal use in excess of reimbursement for legitimate and verifiable campaign expenditures and shall expend no funds from his campaign account not attributable to bona fide campaign or political purposes.

7. A Member of the House of Representatives shall treat as campaign contributions all proceeds from testimonial dinners or other fund raising events.

8. A Member or officer of the House of Representatives shall retain no one under his payroll authority who does not perform official duties commensurate with the compensation received in the offices of the employing authority. In the case of committee employees who work under the direct supervision of a Member other than a chairman, the chairman may require that such Member affirm in writing that the employees have complied with the preceding sentence (subject to clause 6 of rule XI) as evidence of the chairman's compliance with this clause and with clause 6 of rule XI.

9. A Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives shall not discharge or refuse to hire any individual, or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual's race, color, religion, sex (including marital or parental status), age, or national origin, but may take into consideration the domicile or political affiliation of such individual.

10. A Member of the House of Representatives who has been convicted by a court of record for the commission of a crime for which a sentence of two or more years' imprisonment may be imposed should refrain from participation in the business of each committee of which he is a member and should refrain from voting on any question at a meeting of the House, or of the Committee of the Whole House, unless or until judicial or executive proceedings result in reinstatement of the presumption of his innocence or until he is reelected to the House after the date of such conviction.

11. A Member of the House of Representatives shall not authorize or otherwise allow a non-House individual, group, or organization to use the words ``Congress of the United States'', ``House of Representatives'', or ``Official Business'', or any combination of words thereof, on any letterhead or envelope.

12. (a) Except as provided by paragraph (b), any employee of the House of Representatives who is required to file a report pursuant to rule XLIV shall refrain from participating personally and substantially as an employee of the House of Representatives in any contact with any agency of the executive or judicial branch of Government with respect to nonlegislative matters affecting any nongovernmental person in which the employee has a significant financial interest.

(b) Paragraph (a) shall not apply if an employee first advises his employing authority of his significant financial interest and obtains from his employing authority a written waiver stating that the participation of the employee is necessary. A copy of each such waiver shall be filed with the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.

* * *

ETHICS MANUAL CODE OF ETHICS FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Resolved by the House of Representatives {the Senate concurring}, That it is the sense of the Congress that the following Code of Ethics should be adhered to by all Government employees, including officeholders:

CODE OF ETHICS FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Any person in Government service should:

1. Put loyalty to the highest moral principals and to country above loyalty to Government persons, party, or department.

2. Uphold the Constitution, laws, and legal regulations of the United States and of all governments therein and never be a party to their evasion.

3. Give a full day's labor for a full day's pay; giving to the performance of his duties his earnest effort and best thought.

4. Seek to find and employ more efficient and economical ways of getting tasks accomplished.

5. Never discriminate unfairly by the dispensing of special favors or privileges to anyone, whether for remuneration or not; and never accept for himself or his family, favors or benefits under circumstances which might be construed by reasonable persons as influencing the performance of his governmental duties.

6. Make no private promises of any kind binding upon the duties of office, since a Government employee has no private word which can be binding on public duty.

7. Engage in no business with the Government, either directly or indirectly which is inconsistent with the conscientious performance of his governmental duties.

8. Never use any information coming to him confidentially in the performance of governmental duties as a means for making private profit.

9. Expose corruption wherever discovered.

10. Uphold these principles, ever conscious that public office is a public trust.

(Passed July 11, 1958.)

Table of Contents of the Ethics Manual

Chapter 1 .General Ethical Standards:
Chapter 2 .(This Chapter has been replaced with the publication of the Gifts and Travel Booklet in April 2000)
Chapter 3 .Outside Employment and Income of Members, Officers, Employees, and Spouses:
Chapter 4 .Financial Disclosure:
Chapter 5 .Staff Rights and Duties:
Chapter 6 .Official Allowances and Franking:
Chapter 7 .Casework Considerations:
Chapter 8. (This Chapter has been replaced with the publication of Campaign Activity in December of 2001)
Chapter 9 .Involvement with Official and Unofficial Organizations:
Appendices