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TechnoratiNEW YORK – The governor of New York has joined the other 49 governors in issuing a proclamation supporting this year’s observance of the National Day of Prayer.
(Photo: AP / Mike Groll, File)New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer speaks during a news conference in Schenectady, N.Y., in this April 24, 2007 file photo. Eliot Spitzer, following through on a campaign pledge, unveiled a bill Friday April 27, 2007 to legalize gay marriage in New York.
On Monday, less than a week before Americans across the fifty states were scheduled to pray for the nation, New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s issued proclamation appeared on the Democratic governor’s website declaring May 3, 2007, as a Day of Prayer and Reflection in the Empire State.
Although the proclamation is dated Apr. 25, there was no indication from the governor’s office prior to Monday that a proclamation was forthcoming and the only official proclamation listed last week for the month of May was for Cinco De Mayo.
”Governors in 49 states and the President of the United States have signed proclamations designating a day of prayer,” noted Dr. James C. Dobson, chairman of Focus on the Family, in a statement released Monday. “Gov. Spitzer was asked in January to issue such a declaration by April 1st if possible. No response was received as of Friday, April 27. Phone calls from the governor’s office were not returned, and pastors and volunteers who inquired were treated rudely and given no indication that a proclamation was forthcoming.”
Earlier in the day, Dobson had alerted listeners of Focus on the Family’s daily broadcast of the “slap in the face that the governor of New York has delivered to people of faith all across the country” and encouraged Americans from all states to call the governor’s office in response.
"Considering what happened in New York City on 9/11, and the fact that New York has been most often targeted for destruction by terrorists, we believe prayer in that state should be a priority,” Dobson said in his statement Monday, after the proclamation was officially issued. “We are pleased that Gov. Spitzer has now designated Thursday, May 3rd, as a day of prayer.”
According to Spitzer’s press secretary, Christine Anderson, the governor “always intended to sign it,” reported CitizenLink, a ministry of Focus on the Family.
She added that the prayer breakfast – which had been an annual event under the previous governor – was canceled “for scheduling reasons.”
But Gary Schneeberger, senior media director of government and public policy at Focus on the Family Action, noted that the governor’s alleged intention was never made known.
“Governor Spitzer had several opportunities to tell NDP representatives he would sign the proclamation,” said Schneeberger, according to CitizenLink. “Instead, his staff treated those who asked about it rudely. What other conclusion could we have drawn other than that he was not inclined to acknowledge the power of prayer for his state?”
Jean Truty, who works for the National Day of Prayer Task Force, said a letter requesting a proclamation was mailed to Spitzer in January. The letter asked for a response by April 1, CitizenLink reported. Two weeks ago, the NDP staff started calling his office.
"Governor Spitzer has never been a friend to pro-family causes,” Schneeberger noted. “He's introduced a bill to legalize gay marriage and has worked to shore up abortion rights. He has not earned the benefit of the doubt from the pro-family community." Continue »
