Actor Rainn Wilson, best known for portraying Dwight Schrute on the television series 'The Office,' participated in a bipartisan event on Capitol Hill focused on religious freedom as the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding.

The event was hosted by Representatives Brendan Boyle, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, and Gus Bilirakis, a Republican from Florida, and included leaders from multiple faith traditions.

Wilson, a member of the Baha’i faith, read passages from the Declaration of Independence and encouraged Americans to reflect on how the nation can better realize ideals such as freedom, equality, justice, and unity in the future.

His appearance also marked the public release of the Baha’i community’s five-part letter, 'A Common Endeavor,' which argues that Americans can renew shared democratic values despite growing political polarization and social division.

During the event, Boyle referenced both Baha’i teachings and Catholic principles that emphasize human unity, expressing hope that the country’s semiquincentennial celebration will focus not only on the past but also on the future.

Bilirakis highlighted religious liberty as a universal human right and stressed support for persecuted religious communities around the world, including Christians, Muslims, Jews, Baha’is, Hindus, Buddhists, and Uyghurs.

The gathering took place one day after the Pentagon revised its list of recognized religions for service members following criticism from leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.While unrelated to the event itself, the timing drew attention to ongoing discussions about religious recognition and freedom in the United States.