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27TH SENATORIAL DISTRICT
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hoyman nysenale 0v

July 2,2018

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo


State of New York
Executive Chamber, Capitol
Albany, NY, 12224

Dear Governor Cuomo:

I am writing to urge a veto of 56856A/A8704A (DefranCisco/Magnarelli), which would


designate an “official slate hynm of remembrance” for veterans Called “Here Rests in Honored
Glory” written by Donald B. Miller. I believe this legislation violates the Establishment Clause of
the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, which sets forth the separation of church
and state.

The Establishment Clause states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment
of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” and forbids government from favoring one
religion over another. The lyrics of “Here Rests in Honored Glory” (attached hereto) include
references to Christ in several lines, including the following:

Who in the Lord’s name earnest, the King and blessed O,ze,..

Thou art the King of Israel, Thou David’s royal Son...

All glonj, laud, and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King

The hymn appears to be based on “All Glory, Laud and Honor,” a 9th-century hymn traditionally
sung on Palm Sunday to mark Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. As you can see, the lyrics are not
only religious, but they are explicitly Christian, representing a clear violation of the Establishment
Clause.

On June 26, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Trzunp v. Hawaii that the President was within
his authority to ban travel to the United States from mostly Muslim nations. As you stated
correctly in response to the decision, “[t]he Trump administration’s travel ban is a stain on this
counhys history, and the Supreme Courts ruling encourages and contributes to a culture of
profiling and religious discrimination.” Making a Christian hymn the official state hymn of New
York also conthbutes to this culture.

tJ
Page 2
Governor Cuomo
July 2, 2018

When this legislation initially arose for consideration on February 13, 2018 in the Senate
Investigations and Government Operations Committee, of which I am the Ranking Member, I
requested it be removed from consideration to allow the committee to read the lyrics. While the
committee never considered the bill again, the Senate leadership discharged it in the final days of
session for a full floor vote, seemingly to avoid controversy.

As we prepare to celebrate July 4t1 this weekend, what better way to celebrate Independence Day
than supporting the separation of church and state, a founding principle of our nation? In the
spirit of American independence, I respectfully ask you to veto S6856A/A8704A.

Sincerely,

Brad Hoylman
State Senator
27th District

end: Lyrics to “Here Rests in Honored Glory” by Donald B. Miller


“Here Rests in Honored Glory” by Donald B. Miller

Here rests in Honored glory, here rests in honored glory


America, America
America, America, Take this flag, fly it well, remember me.

Here rests in Honored glory, An American soldier known unto God, unto God.
All glory laud and honor to thee, Redeemer, KING,
And mortal man and all things created make us sing.

Thou art the King of Israel, Thou David’s royal Son,


Who in the Lord’s name comest, the King and blessed One.

Here rests in Honored glory, An American soldier known unto God, unto God.
All company of angels are praising Thee on high,
to Thee, new high exalted, our melody we raise.

Thou didst accept their praises, accept the prayers we bring,


Our praise and pray’r and anthems, Thou good and gracious King.

Here rests in Honored glory, here rests in honored glory


America, America
America, America, Take this flag, fly it well, remember me.

Here rests in Honored glory, An American soldier known unto God, unto God.
Greater love than this, Greater love, Greater love,
Greater love hath no man than this
Greater love than this, Greater love, Greater love,
Greater love hath no man than this
Man lay down his life for his friends,
That a man lay down his life for his friends,
Alleluia.

Greater love than this, Greater love, Greater love,


Greater love hath no man than this
Greater love than this, Greater love, Greater love,
Greater love hath no man than this
He lay down his life for his friends,
That a man lay down his life for his friends,
Alleluia.

Glory laud and honor, to thee, redeemer, king,


And mortal mean and all things created make us sing.
Thou art the King of Israel, Thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s name comest, the King and blessed One.
Thou art the King of Israel, Thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s name comest, the King and blessed One.
Here rests in honor’d Glory!
Here rests in honor’d Glory!

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