A joint resolution providing for a moment of Prayer and Thanksgiving and a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving.
Public Law 93-3 · H.J.Res. 246 · 93rd Congress · began in the House
Signed by Richard Nixon (R) on Feb 1, 1973 · Commemorations
Sponsor: Rep. John McFall (D-CA-15)
Cosponsors: None
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateMethod not stated
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Authorizes the President of the United States to issue a proclamation designating the moment of 7:00 P.M., EST, January 27, 1973, a National Moment of Prayer and Thanksgiving for the peaceful end to the Vietnam War, and the 24 hours beginning at the same time as a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving.
Authorizes the President to fly the American flag at the appointed hour; and urges all men and women of goodwill be urged to join in prayer that this settlement marks not only the end of the war in Vietnam, but the beginning of a new era of world peace and understanding.
Requires copies of this resolution to be sent to the Governors of the several States.
Committees
The record shows no committee referral for this bill.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 6 actions.
- Feb 1, 1973Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public law 93-3.
- Jan 26, 1973PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- FloorFloor · Measure passed House.
- FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate.
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.