LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating Thomas Paine Day, January 29, 2011,
in honor of his indelible contributions to liberty, democracy and civic
engagement

WHEREAS, From time to time, this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals of remarkable courage and strength of charac-
ter who risked their own lives for others, and stood with fortitude for
freedom and humanity; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to join the
Bedford Barrow Commerce Block Association and the Thomas Paine Friends,
Inc. in commemorating Thomas Paine Day, January 29, 2011, in honor of
his indelible contributions to liberty, democracy and civic engagement;
and
WHEREAS, Thomas Paine, who was born on January 29, 1737 and who died
on June 8, 1809, was the greatest political writer of his time; his
best-selling works, Common Sense, The Rights of Man, and The Age of
Reason fundamentally altered the political and social landscape of the
18th century world; and
WHEREAS, In his classic and influential essay, Common Sense, Thomas
Paine raised the call for independence from Britain, for a democratic
form of government based on equal rights for all and set the blueprint
for the establishment of our Constitution, Bill of Rights and laws; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Paine supported the American Revolution through his
inspirational The American Crisis papers, his personal service in the
army and in government office, and by the unparalleled contribution of
his personal funds; and
WHEREAS, Today, he is recognized as a visionary political thinker
whose ideas on the inalienable rights of the individual, and on govern-
ments founded to protect those rights, provide the ideological founda-
tions of modern democracies around the world; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Paine rose from humble origins to become the foremost
political figure of his time; friend and foe to the world's most power-
ful leaders, he never sought personal power or wealth; instead, he
devoted himself to championing the rights of the "Common Man"; his
emphatic belief in the dignity and rights of men everywhere challenged
the traditional authority and dogmas of kings and churches and would
change the course of modern history; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Paine's radical ideas of liberty, equality, and
justice for all have transcended time and nations; his literary genius
for revolutionary prose crystallized popular aspirations by articulating
their cause in the vernacular of the masses; and
WHEREAS, Although opposed by an entrenched power structure and conse-
quently marginalized in our history, Thomas Paine's vision of a new
world, where justice and humanity reign, still inspires generations of
men and women everywhere to demand their inalienable rights; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
join the Bedford Barrow Commerce Block Association and the Thomas Paine
Friends, Inc. in commemorating Thomas Paine Day, January 29, 2011, in
honor of his indelible contributions to liberty, democracy and civic
engagement; and be it further
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause further to urge the citi-
zens of this great Empire State to take note of this day named in honor
of this visionary thinker who was central to the establishment of our
Nation, the man who was English by birth, French by proclamation, and
American by choice, Thomas Paine; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Kathryn Donaldson, President, Bedford Barrow Commerce Block
Association; and the Friends of Thomas Paine, Inc.