HR1412 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1412 LRB099 23361 GRL 50818 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is a national observance that commemorates the formation and signing of the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787; and

WHEREAS, The President of the United States may issue a proclamation each year calling on government officials within the nation to display the country's flag on government buildings on Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, as well as inviting the people to observe this event in schools, churches, or other suitable places with appropriate ceremonies; and

WHEREAS, On Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, an event which falls during Constitution Week, many people in the United States recognize the anniversary of the Constitution and the efforts and responsibilities of all citizens; in the summer of 1787, delegates convened in Philadelphia to create "a more perfect union" and to craft the Constitution; they worked to develop a framework that would provide balance and protect freedoms, taking into account federal and state interests, as well as individual human rights; the delegates signed the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787; by June 21, 1788, the Constitution was ratified by nine of the 13 states; and

WHEREAS, In 1939, newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst advocated a day to celebrate United States citizenship; in 1940, Congress created "I Am an American Day" to be celebrated on the third Sunday in May; on February 29, 1952, President Harry Truman signed "Citizenship Day" into law, replacing "I Am an American Day"; on August 2, 1956, Congress requested that the president proclaim the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as "Constitution Week"; in December of 2004, a federal law was enacted that designated September 17 as "Constitution Day and Citizenship Day"; and

WHEREAS, Positive images of United States citizens of all backgrounds have been used to promote the "Citizenship" element of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day; the colors of the United States flag, as well as images of the flag, have been used in artwork for promotional material for the day, and painted images of the Constitution's founders are also used to illustrate the importance of the meaning behind the day; the words "We the People", the first words of the Constitution, have been highlighted in promotional materials to symbolize unity and cooperation within the nation; and

WHEREAS, Various civil and educational authorities and individuals throughout the United States observe Constitution Day and Citizenship Day through a range of events and activities each year; the Center for Civic Education provides lesson topics on Constitution Day and Citizenship Day for students at different levels and the United States Department of Education provides various resources on the event; educational institutions that receive federal funds also hold educational programs on the United States Constitution on September 17 each year; and

WHEREAS, It is fitting and proper that the members of this body join the national celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the date of September 17 as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day in the United States and encourage the citizens of this State to join us in celebrating this important date in our nation's history.