And Whereas it hath pleased the Great Governor of the World to incline the hearts of the legislatures we respectively represent in Congress, to approve of, and to authorize us to ratify the said Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union.
...the promise is stated after a whereas, though the promise is the very gist of the action, yet, such a count so framed, will be held good on demurrer.
1908, United States Congress, Hearings beginning March 9, 1908-April 30, 1908
It had a page or so of whereases.
1961, Aluminum Workers' International Union, Biennial Convention
I feel it is most unfortunate that some of the preambles, prefaces, whereases or whatever you want to call it, are put before motions or before resolutions...
1973, Canadian Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, Proceedings
If it is the desire of any Lodge on the floor that the whereases that were listed in their original Resolution be quoted by the Chairman or by the Secretary...