2023 House Resolution 132

Whereas, We recognize that understanding American history and America’s first principles are indispensable to the survival of our republic as a free people. In great reverence to the victims of the attacks on September 11, 2001, we acknowledge that American citizens must take time to honor the first principles, founders, documents, and symbols of their history; and

Whereas, The events that led to the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America by the delegates of the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, have significance for every American. This historical occasion is honored in public schools across the nation on September 17 of each year as Constitution Day; and

Whereas, Revolution, the rule of law, social compact, equality, unalienable rights, and limited government are the first principles upon which America was founded and flourishes; and

Whereas, Exceptional, visionary, and indispensable Americans such as Thomas Paine, Patrick Henry, John Adams, John Marshall, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison founded and advanced the United States; and

Whereas, The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the congressional resolution forwarding the Constitution to the states, Marbury v. Madison, Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions, the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, Brown v. Board of Education, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the “I Have a Dream” speech are key documents that embody America’s first principles and have advanced American liberty; and

Whereas, The Bennington Flag, the original Betsy Ross American flag, the current American Flag, the Suffragist Flag, the Fort Sumter Flag, the Gadsden Flag, and the flag of the state of Michigan are fundamental physical symbols of American history and freedom that should be studied and remembered by each American citizen; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare September 11-17, 2023, as Patriot Week in the state of Michigan. We recognize that each generation needs to renew the spirit of America based on America’s first principles, historical figures, founding documents, and symbols of America. The citizens, schools, and other educational institutions, government agencies, municipalities, and nonprofit, religious, labor, community, and business organizations are urged to recognize and participate in Patriot Week by honoring and celebrating so that all may offer the reverence that is due to our free republic.