H.J.R. 10 Enrolled

RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING BILL OF RIGHTS DAY
2001 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: J. Morgan Philpot
Carl R. Saunders
DeMar Bud Bowman
Max W. Young
David L. Hogue
James A. Ferrin
Glenn A. Donnelson
Bryan D. Holladay
Rebecca D. Lockhart
Carl W. Duckworth
Kevin S. Garn
Jeff Alexander
Stephen D. Clark
Paul Ray
Merlynn T. Newbold
Don E. Bush
Margaret Dayton
A. Lamont Tyler
Sheryl L. Allen
Neal B. Hendrickson
Craig W. Buttars
Bradley T. Johnson
Stephen H. Urquhart
Matt Throckmorton
Jackie Biskupski
Mike Thompson
Greg J. Curtis

This joint resolution of the Legislature designates December 15, 2001 as Bill of Rights Day
in the state of Utah. The resolution urges government entities in the state to appropriately
observe Bill of Rights Day, and that the Bill of Rights be read in public schools and in the
Legislature.
Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS, the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution are referred to as
the Bill of Rights, which limit and define the powers of government;
WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights recognizes, affirms, and protects fundamental, individual
human rights for which the human race has struggled for thousands of years;
WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights secures freedom to speak, print, read, assemble, pray,
petition the government, and keep and bear arms;
WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights protects Americans from unreasonable arrests, searches,
excessive bail, double jeopardy, coerced confessions, and cruel and unusual punishment;
WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights secures rights to due process, jury trials, counsel, and to
present witnesses;
WHEREAS, designating a Bill of Rights Day would help prevent the Bill of Rights from
being forgotten;
WHEREAS, since many Americans are not familiar with the Bill of Rights, Bill of Rights
Day would encourage schools to instruct students about this vital aspect of American heritage;

WHEREAS, designating a Bill of Rights Day would demonstrate to the world Utah's
commitment to fundamental human rights;
WHEREAS, just as celebrating religious holidays reminds Americans of their religious
beliefs and traditions, Bill of Rights Day would remind Utahns of the manner in which its history
and philosophy have secured the rights for which oppressed people everywhere still yearn;
WHEREAS, Bill of Rights Day would remind elected and appointed officials and employees
of the state and local executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government that their authority
and powers are limited;
WHEREAS, Bill of Rights Day would remind all members of government that they serve
the citizens and that the citizens always hold the right to restrain government;
WHEREAS, the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights deserve celebration,
and the sacrifices made to protect the Bill of Rights deserve remembrance; and
WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution was ratified on December
15, 1791:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah designate
December 15, 2001 as Bill of Rights Day in the state of Utah.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges all governmental entities in Utah
to observe Bill of Rights Day in a manner that brings to mind the meaning and importance of each
of the ten provisions contained in the Bill of Rights.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges that on Bill of Rights Day, or on
the first business day afterwards, the Bill of Rights be read in all public schools and in all
government meetings and courtrooms.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that on the first day of the 2002 General Session of the
Legislature, the Bill of Rights be read aloud in its entirety in both houses of the Legislature.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to Governor Michael
O. Leavitt, the Utah Supreme Court, the Utah Association of Counties, and the Utah League of
Cities and Towns.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and other government entities work with

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civic organizations and groups to disseminate copies of the Bill of Rights to schools and to
communicate the importance of the Bill of Rights to our American representative democracy.

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