KAYSVILLE -- Congressman Rob Bishop cited the Washington, D.C. memorials, federal buildings, and government traditions that make references to God as he spoke at a patriotic devotional at Davis High School last Sunday. The devotional was part of the 4th of July celebrations for Kaysville and Fruit Heights and included music by the Davis Master Chorale, directed by Jim Johnson.

The choir, celebrating its 10th anniversary, presented a musical salute to the armed services by singing the theme songs for the Air Force, Army, Navy, Coast Guard and the Marines. Veterans of each military branch stood to rounds of applause during their song.

Also during the devotional, Mayor Todd Stevenson of Fruit Heights presented the city's "2006 Unsung Hero Award" to Gary Sargent for 36 years of service as a city council member and as a city attorney.

Mayor Neka Roundy presented Kaysville's "2006 Unsung Hero Award" to Stephen Whitesides for his service as a city council member and for his work for the LeConte Stewart Gallery of Art and the Alan and Kay Blood Trust Fund that contributed money to the Kaysville City library.

Bishop was asked to speak to the citizens of Kaysville and Fruit Heights about the Constitution and religion at the devotional.

The Kaysville native began by paying tribute to the choir, the "Unsung Hero Award" recipients and especially the members of the military who were there.

Then he spoke of the many references to God and religion made by presidents of the country and portrayed in Washington's architecture and in the nation's founding documents.

"If you are looking for a complete separation of church and state, you won't find it in the architecture in Washington," said Bishop.

He said the Declaration of Independence talks about how we are "endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights." He spoke of Thomas Jefferson's efforts to preserve religion's role in government. Bishop also quoted Jefferson who said, "It is impossible to rightly govern without God."

Bishop also noted the phrase, "God save the United States and this Honorable Court," that is stated each time the Supreme Court begins a session to hear arguments, interpret the Constitution and hand down decisions.

He also listed many presidents of the United States, including Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy, who have made reference to the importance of relying on God in the governing of the country.

Bishop said that "we must hold to the Constitution and know the meaning of the words in the document." He said that those words have a particular meaning and that they are not a "living being" subject to extensive interpretation.

"Consider it (the Constitution) the miracle which holds us together," said Bishop.

The two-term congressman has been an avid history buff for virtually his entire life. He taught history at Box Elder High School in Brigham City for more than a quarter of a century prior to being elected to the House of Representatives.

He has been known to give tours for high school students visiting the nation's capital for the Closeup political science program.

The evening concluded with the choir's rendition of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and a closing prayer.