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Has YOUR Town or State Proclaimed December 15th as
"Bill of Rights Day"
BILL NUMBER: SCR 82
CHAPTERED BILL TEXT RESOLUTION CHAPTER 115
FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE AUGUST 10, 1998
ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY AUGUST 6, 1998
ADOPTED IN SENATE MAY 28, 1998
AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 28, 1998
INTRODUCED BY Senator Johannessen MARCH 26, 1998
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 82--Relative to the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SCR 82, Johannessen. Bill of Rights Day.
This measure would declare December 15, 1998, and every December 15 thereafter, as Bill of Rights Day, encourage all governmental bodies in the state to observe the day in a manner that brings to mind its meaning and importance, and declare that the Bill of Rights should be read in all public schools, government meetings, and courtrooms on that date and shall be read aloud, in its entirety, on the first legislative session day following that date in both houses of the Legislature.
WHEREAS, The first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution are referred to as the Bill of Rights, which limit and define the powers of government; and
WHEREAS, Several of the original states refused to ratify the Constitution without an express Bill of Rights; and
WHEREAS, The Bill of Rights recognizes, affirms, and protects fundamental human and civil rights for which persons of all races have struggled for thousands of years; and
WHEREAS, The Bill of Rights secures our freedom to speak, print, read, assemble, pray, petition the government, and keep and bear arms; protects us from unreasonable arrests, searches, excessive bail, double jeopardy, coerced confessions, and cruel and unusual punishment; and secures our rights to due process, jury trials, and counsel, and to present defense witnesses; and
WHEREAS, The Bill of Rights protects our sovereign state from excesses of the federal government; and
WHEREAS, The Bill of Rights is integral to the American way of life, and America's civic holidays, President's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and Thanksgiving, all remind us of the special contributions and sacrifices made by our forefathers and leaders to preserve, protect, and extend our freedoms; and
WHEREAS, The Bill of Rights energizes our military defense because American servicemen and women swear an oath to preserve and defend the United States Constitution, which includes the Bill of Rights; when American military personnel fight and die for our country, they do so to protect our rights and freedoms under the Bill of Rights; and
WHEREAS, A Bill of Rights Day would help prevent the Bill of Rights from being otherwise forgotten, and since many Americans do not know their Bill of Rights, this special day would encourage our schools to instruct children about this aspect of our American heritage; and
WHEREAS, A Bill of Rights Day would declare America's commitment to fundamental human rights to the whole world; and
WHEREAS, Just as celebrating religious holidays reminds Americans of their religious beliefs and traditions, a Bill of Rights Day annually would remind America of the manner in which its history and philosophy have secured the rights for which oppressed people everywhere still yearn; and
WHEREAS, A Bill of Rights Day would be a memorial day honoring the personal sacrifices and deaths of countless millions of people who have struggled for basic human and civil rights over thousands of years; and
WHEREAS, A Bill of Rights Day would remind elected and appointed officials and employees of the state and local executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government that their authority and powers are limited; and
WHEREAS, A Bill of Rights Day would remind all members of government that they serve the citizens, not rule them, and that the citizens always hold the right to restrain government; and
WHEREAS, The rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights deserve perennial celebrations and the sacrifices made to protect the Bill of Rights deserve eternal remembrance; and
WHEREAS, The Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution was ratified on December 15, 1791; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That December 15, 1998, and every December 15 thereafter, be declared Bill of Rights Day in California; and be it further
Resolved, That all governmental bodies in California are encouraged to observe the annual Bill of Rights Day in a manner that brings to mind the meaning and importance of each of the 10 provisions contained therein; and be it further
Resolved, That on Bill of Rights Day, the Bill of Rights should be read in all public schools and in all government meetings and courtrooms convening that day; and be it further
Resolved, That on the first legislative session day following Bill of Rights Day, the Bill of Rights shall be read aloud, in its entirety, in both houses of the Legislature.
Will your town or State be next?
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