Senate Resolution No. 894

BY: Senator RATH

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
December 15, 2021, 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, 2021, 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, 2021, 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.