Professional Documents
Culture Documents
July 2,2018
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,..
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
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.
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.
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.