LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim March 16, 2010, as Liberty Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, The State of New York, the birthplace and home of many great
historical figures, is proud to recognize men and women from New York
and other states who, through their great personal and professional
achievements, have furthered the causes of humanity, government, educa-
tion, medicine, social reform and science; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor
David A. Paterson to proclaim March 16, 2010, as Liberty Day in the
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Our rights and liberties are rooted in the cherished docu-
ments that gave birth to our Nation, the Declaration of Independence and
the United States Constitution, with its Bill of Rights; and
WHEREAS, James Madison, 1751-1836, fourth President of the United
States, 1809-1817, is considered one of the Founding Fathers; and
WHEREAS, In a distinguished public career that covered more than 40
years, he worked for American independence, helped to establish the
government of the new Nation, and went on to participate in that govern-
ment as a member of Congress, Secretary of State, and ultimately, Presi-
dent; and
WHEREAS, His work on the United States Constitution gave him his best
opportunity to exercise his great talents and is generally considered
his most valuable contribution; and
WHEREAS, His intense concern for religious and intellectual freedom
led him to seek the strongest possible safeguards of individual liberty;
and
WHEREAS, More than any other person, James Madison can be considered
responsible for making the Bill of Rights part of the Constitution of
the United States; and
WHEREAS, He is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution";
and
WHEREAS, While a member of the Virginia Legislature, James Madison
served on the committee that authored the Virginia Plan; this document
served as the model and the basis of discussion for the writing of a new
Constitution during the Constitutional Convention of 1787; the new
United States Constitution established our new form of republican
government, replacing the flawed and unworkable Articles of Confeder-
ation; and
WHEREAS, Along with John Jay and Alexander Hamilton, James Madison
wrote the FEDERALIST PAPERS; these essays were published in newspapers
throughout the country and successfully offered arguments that encour-
aged the states to ratify the new Constitution; and
WHEREAS, Liberty Day 2010 celebrates, recognizes and honors the 259th
Anniversary of the birth of James Madison; it is a day designed to
inform students about the United States Constitution and the Bill of
Rights, a tradition that began in Colorado by a group of committed Lions
Club members; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim March 16, 2010, as
Liberty Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York.