Bill Text: MI HR0217 | 2013-2014 | 97th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to declare September 17, 2013, as Constitution and Citizenship Day in the state of Michigan.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-2)
Status: (Passed) 2013-09-17 - Adopted [HR0217 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2013-HR0217-Enrolled.html
Substitute for House Resolution No. 217.
A resolution to declare September 17, 2013, as Constitution and Citizenship Day in the state of Michigan.
Whereas, On September 17, 1787, the U.S Constitution was formalized and signed by 39 delegates in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to create a more perfect union; and
Whereas, The U.S. Constitution was ratified by all of the 13 original colonies in 1790, and the first three words of the Constitution "We the People" ensure that the main mission of the Constitution is to serve the citizens of the United States and respects the citizens as the sole source of all governmental power; and
Whereas, The Constitution is often recognized as the most significant and important document in history for establishing freedom and justice through democracy and the influence of the U.S. Constitution goes far beyond the U.S. borders as many nations have used the U.S. Constitution as a model for their own form of government; and
Whereas, The Framers of the Constitution had the brilliance and foresight to establish separate and balanced governmental powers to safeguard the interests of majority rule and minority rights of liberty and equality. It also provides a framework and structure for the interaction of the federal and state government while protecting individual rights that is unparalleled worldwide; and
Whereas, On February 29, 1952, President Harry S. Truman signed into law a bill designating every September 17th as Citizenship Day and in 1956 Congress established Constitution Week which begins on September 17 of each year to encourage all residents to learn more about the U.S. Constitution; and
Whereas, In 2004, the U.S. Congress declared September 17 as Constitution and Citizenship Day. Later that same year, the U.S. Department of Education began efforts to provide various resources on Constitution Day and was designated as the federal department responsible for implementing Constitution Day guidelines and educational program on the U.S. Constitution on September 17 each year; and
Whereas, The U.S. has a long brimming history of welcoming immigrants from all over the world to become naturalized citizens. In 2012, there were 763,681 individuals who, through hard work, became naturalized citizens of the U.S.; and
Whereas, Constitution and Citizenship Day recognizes that becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen is a tremendous achievement for any individual who attained it and every person in the U.S. should celebrate the duties of the Constitution and the freedom it provides; and
Whereas, Officially recognizing the signing of the Constitution helps protect the values and rights the Constitution declares and keeps those values and rights in the hearts and minds of United States citizens; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare September 17, 2013, as Constitution and Citizenship Day in the state of Michigan.
