The Senate and the House approved resolutions declaring Wednesday to be religious freedom day.
Senate Resolution 1, by Sen. Jason Rapert, R-Conway, honored the anniversary of the enactment of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom and "affirms that religious freedom is a fundamental human right."
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The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom was drafted by Thomas Jefferson, who considered it one of his greatest achievements, and it was enacted Jan. 16, 1786. The statute was the forerunner of the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, according to SR1.
Rep. Mary Bentley, R-Perryville, sponsored the companion measure, House Resolution 1002.
-- Michael R. Wickline