Declare Bill of Rights Day

December 15, 2018, as Bill of Rights Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize significant contributions of our State and Nation to the principles of freedom and democracy; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim December 15, 2018, as Bill of Rights Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Bill of Rights Day; and WHEREAS, Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated December

15, 1941, as Bill of Rights Day, and called upon the officials of the Government, and the people of the United States, to observe the day by displaying the flag of the United States on public buildings and by meeting together for such ceremonies as may seem to them appropriate; and WHEREAS, The First Ten Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America, known collectively as the Bill of Rights, were passed by Congress on September 25, 1789, and ratified on December 15, 1791; and WHEREAS, These rights guarantee civil rights and liberties such as freedom of speech, press, and religion; it also sets rules for due process of law and reserves all powers not delegated to the Federal Government to the people or the states; and WHEREAS, To preserve the rights and freedoms secured by the Bill of Rights, our forefathers, and hundreds of thousands of men and women serving on the police agencies and Armed Forces of the United States, have sacrificed, suffered and died; and WHEREAS, The rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights deserve perennial celebrations; the sacrifices made to protect the Bill of Rights deserve eternal remembrance; and WHEREAS, By commemorating the Bill of Rights with a special day, we honor the fundamental rights it enshrines and the sacrifices made to create and preserve these rights and proclaim these rights, once again, to the citizens of New York State, the Nation, and the World; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim December 15, 2018, as Bill of Rights Day in the State of New York, and to encourage all government agencies to observe the annual Bill of Rights Day in a manner that brings to mind the meaning and importance of each of the Ten Amendments contained in that Bill; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.