Contact: Samuel B. Casey, Executive Director & CEO, Christian Legal Society, 703-642-1070, Ext. 3201, sbcasey@clsnet.org

SPRINGFIELD, Va., May 16 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following text is released by the Christian Legal Society:

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ:

On behalf of our Board of Directors and Christian Legal Society members throughout the United States, we join with Dr. Falwell's beloved wife Macel, his sons Jerry Jr and Jonathan, Dr. Falwell's entire family, the Liberty University community, and his Thomas Road Baptist congregation to celebrate the life and mourn the loss of a beloved Founder and Chancellor, Senior Pastor, father and friend, Jerry Falwell.  All who mourn his passing are in our thoughts and prayers.

While we are sure that Dr. Falwell would not have missed the opportunity to minister the all-sufficient grace of Jesus to Ralph Waldo Emerson's well-known religious doubts, we can thank Emerson the poet for wisely describing the success in a life well-lived life Jerry Falwell so exemplified:

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children; to learn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a little bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

We are grateful for Dr Falwell's life-long moral leadership, pastoral example and courageous perseverance.  Thanks to his early stand for life and religious liberty, our defense of these inalienable rights remains vigilant and gathers strength each day.

Pastor and teacher Chuck Swindoll once said that "generosity is like a rare gem. Not many of us possess it, but when it is seen it sparkles. What admiration it brings from onlookers."  As we remember with admiration Jerry Falwell, we will remember a man who sparkled with such generosity that his legacy is not only a great family, a great church and a vibrant and thriving University, but thousands upon thousands of people who Jerry taught by his life example how to give of their time, talent and treasure for the common good and the glory of God.

Grace and peace,

James A. Davids

President & Chairman of the Board

Samuel B. Casey

Executive Director & CEO