Recognizing and celebrating the 232nd anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

        [Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 386 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

2d Session
H. CON. RES. 386

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 25 (legislative day, September 17), 2008

Received

October 2 (legislative day, September 17), 2008

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing and celebrating the 232nd anniversary of the signing of the
Declaration of Independence.

Whereas the text of the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Second
Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, and the engrossed copy of the
Declaration of Independence was signed by most of the delegates in the
Second Continental Congress on August 2, 1776;
Whereas August 2, 2008, marks the 232d anniversary of the signing of the
engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence;
Whereas the signing of the Declaration of Independence marked the formal
dissolution of the ties of the thirteen American colonies with Great
Britain, the beginning of their statehood and national identity, and the
dawning of a new era of freedom in America and the world;
Whereas these Founding Fathers, relying on the direction from and protection of
Divine Providence, pledged to each other their lives, their fortunes,
and their Sacred honor in defense of this action;
Whereas the Declaration of Independence paved the way for the birth of the
Republic;
Whereas the Declaration of Independence has become part of the national culture,
and its principles are part of the consciousness of all Americans;
Whereas the fundamental genius of the United States is embodied in the
Declaration's recognition that ``all men are created equal, that they
are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among
these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness'';
Whereas the principle that the rights of man are bestowed by the Creator and are
unalienable was derived from Scripture, which antedates the existence
from any government;
Whereas the Declaration of Independence affirms that governments are instituted
to protect those rights; and
Whereas the Declaration acknowledged these self-evident Truths, which
constituted one of the most revolutionary philosophical developments in
history and began an unparalleled national experiment: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That the Congress recognizes and celebrates the 232d anniversary of the
signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Passed the House of Representatives September 24
(legislative day September 23), 2008.

Attest:

LORRAINE C. MILLER,

Clerk.