On Thursday, House State Affairs printed a Religious Freedom Day resolution sponsored by Representative Jake Ellis. The resolution declares January 16 Religious Freedom Day in Idaho. National Religious Freedom Day is proclaimed on January 16 in a yearly statement by the President of the United States since 1993. On January 16, 1786, the Virginia General Assembly adopted Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. Part of the bill reads, “We hold that these principles are not only foundational but remain essential to the health and future of our democracy.”
Representative Jake Ellis expressed excitement after the bill was printed in the House.
Sen. Burgoyne and I came up with this legislation as a way to show Idahoans that all religions are equally deserving of protection from discrimination. Rep. Ellis said, “Our state deeply values individual rights and expression. I am hopeful that Idaho will join the nation in celebrating one of our nation’s most important cornerstones.”
Senator Grant Burgoyne has committed to sponsoring the bill in the Senate.
All Idahoans should be free from persecution and discrimination, Burgoyne explained. Our founders understood that freedom of religion should be guaranteed to people of their religious beliefs.
